Entry No. 2 — the Anchorage file — filed under: outdoor
"Spen" — the Spam Can & Raven Sculpture
A giant cast-bronze Spam can with a raven perched on top, planted along Spenard Road by artist John Coyne as part of the neighborhood's corridor public-art program. It's a deadpan monument to Spenard's scrappy, weird self-image that most drivers blow right past.
The move: Do a slow Spenard walking loop hunting for it on foot, snap a photo with the raven, then argue over whether Spam is good actually.
📍 Before you go It stands curbside along Spenard Road near W. 27th Avenue, in the heart of the Spenard neighborhood, planted as part of the corridor's public-art program rather than tucked in a plaza. It's small and low-key, so most people in cars miss it entirely; you'll spot it more reliably on foot, so park on a side street and walk the stretch. Daylight makes for the best photos, and Anchorage's long summer evenings give you plenty of it, while winter darkness and snowbanks can swallow it. This is a busy commercial street, so mind traffic and don't block driveways. Pair it with Spenard's bars, cafes, and thrift shops for an easy walking loop. Note that corridor roadwork has occasionally shifted things, so its exact spot may move.
- 📍 Spenard
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Spenard Road near W. 27th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503
Hours: Outdoor, visible anytime; best in daylight
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Facebook · alaskapublic.org
last checked: 2026-06-06