A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2020 Traditional and Contemporary Skin Sewing with Marine Mammals
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership ARTShops 2020 Traditional and Contemporary Skin Sewing with Marine Mammals
Story by Raven Cunningham
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
With generous support from the ARTShop program I was able to provide education about present day threats to Alaska Native peoples, as well as traditional and contemporary ways of hunting, skinning, skin stretching, and sewing of marine mammals, specifically seal skins. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 pandemic, I was unable to host a class to teach in person, so I had to focus on personally outreaching to people who were interested. I worked with a few people within my community and within the State of Alaska sending them seal skins and teaching them how to stretch with video and written instruction. It was amazing to see these different individuals not only learn this skill, but some were able to take it and teach others through their social media platforms.
Eventually I plan to use the marine mammal skins that I processed to create a piece of art to donate to the Native Village of Eyak. I have a good majority of the project done, and will continue to work on the beading and finishing touches to the project. I plan on finishing out the project myself when I can, or if there is time where I can connect with other local artists within my Tribe to finish it together.
After graduation I plan on continuing teaching the traditional ways of our people and how to practice these skills in our contemporary lives. I hope to also spread awareness of the issue of blood quantum and how it greatly affects our Native communities. Marine mammals are a crucial and essential part of Alaska Native lives. It appears that the United States government created blood quantum as a way to assimilate and terminate Native people. Blood quantum is a hidden safety net that is placed into the fabric of treaties to ensure that benefits would be terminated. The moment when tribal members are no longer Native enough based on colonial tactics that were established to assimilate is the moment Indigenous people are bred out of existence.
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A Journey to What Matters and ASCA Partnership- Graduate ARTShops 2020
A Journey to What Matters and ASCA Partnership- Graduate ARTShops 2020 Parka Ruff and Trim Class
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
Bobby teaching via Zoom
Graduate ARTShops 2020Parka Ruff and Trim Class: VirtuallyStory by: Bobby Itta, ARTShop Leader
For my Graduate ARTShop project, I taught a two-day parka ruff and trim class using Zoom. Five students participated from Anchorage, Seldovia, and Utqiagvik. On the first day, students learned how to stretch an animal hide of their choice. On day two, I went over how to draw, cut, and sew a ruff. It was a little difficult to teach on-line, as I usually teach in a classroom and can share more details in person, but overall the class was great and I had awesome students! Being able to make clothing is an important skill for people to learn, so that they can learn to keep themselves warm and pass down their skills to their children or family. I learned from my mom, who learned from my grandmother. I am happy to be able to share what I know with others.
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Participant Danyel Harvey with her completed ruff
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2020 Tlingit Jewelry Making: Virtually
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2020 Tlingit Jewelry Making: Virtually
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
ARTShops 2020Tlingit Jewelry Making: VirtuallyStory by: Mary Goddard
If 2020 taught us anything, it was to use the tools that we have to continue on, to adapt and overcome. My first initial thoughts for teaching jewelry virtually was to avoid it, wait until COVID-19 passes, then get back to hands-on teaching. However, if I did that I would have missed the opportunity to teach jewelry making to two ready individuals. Sometimes, timing is everything.I want to start off by thanking The CIRI Foundation, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, and the Alaska State Council on the Arts for creating this opportunity for me to teach. This ARTShop has really become a jumping-off point for both of the students to receive guidance and valuable tools and materials (to keep) to begin their craft.
The LessonsWith the jewelry making starter kits and lessons that I put together for Josh and Jason, they were able to learn how to create copper and spruce root earrings, copper and abalone earrings, hammered pendants, and a keychain with leather and trade beads. Each of these projects had to be made from hand, start to finish by the students. They both had dentalium, extra spruce root, copper, and trade beads to experiment with. For both the students, this was their first time working with traditional materials. The chance to have hands-on experience with these traditional materials really gave them an opportunity to connect with Indigenous knowledge and begin to learn what makes the traditional materials so special and meaningful in our Tlingit culture. This was an opportunity for me to share stories about how spruce root is traditionally prepared, what dentalium was valued for, and reminding them to get to know and understand their materials and supplies when creating with them.
“I loved the class, it was very easy going and fun, but at the same time I learned a lot. I think it was a perfect kick start to spark a flame to bigger and better things to come.”JoshARTShop Participant
VirtualThe virtual part of the learning was not as challenging as I originally thought it would be. Due to schedule differences, I chose to offer 5 lessons with a total of 13 short videos, with corresponding lesson plans, and with follow-up weekly zoom meetings. The videos were made available and both Jason and Josh online, at their convenience. In order to finish the lesson, they each had to text or email a picture of their finished lesson project.
“First, wanted to say thank you for this amazing opportunity! This class has provided a lot of opportunities and has been a definite stepping stone toward an awesome hobby and eventually a career. I’ve really enjoyed using Indigenous materials; such as copper, spruce root, abalone, etc. Gotta start somewhere and this has been the perfect opportunity to learn the basics of working with metal and its effects. The course has provided everything we need to create finished, wearable jewelry. Which is pretty neat! Mary has been a great teacher and has been there if I ever have questions. I look forward to learning as much as possible in metal art. If there is an opportunity to learn more in an advanced course, I would be super interested. Again thanks a lot for the course and doing all the legwork.”JasonARTShop Participant
Social MediaTo share with others about the ARTShop project, I created 8 posts and 6 stories that I shared on both my Instagram and my Facebook page over the span of a week and a half. It was a lot of fun, as the jewelry that I created for each lesson was given away in contests.The response from my followers about classes was super positive, with at least ten others wanting to take classes virtually and learn this style of jewelry. It was really encouraging and I was really pleased with the feedback.ARTShop was really successful. Both students received a foundation in working with essentials tools and traditional materials to create jewelry from start to finish. I am confident that through the lessons and the tools that I provided through ARTShop 2020 both Jason and Josh can take their newly learned skills and have their own culturally-based business, or at the very least, hobby.
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Kamipiaq Hard Bottom Crimping Class
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Kamipiaq Hard Bottom Crimping Class
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
Project: ARTShops 2019 Kamipiaq Hard Bottom Crimping Class
Alaska State Council on the Arts Partnership
Story by: Joni Edwardsen
The Kamipiaq Hard Bottom Crimping Class took place in Utqiagvik, Alaska. I held a small group gathering to teach them the process of how to make kamipiaq/maklak hard bottoms out of bearded sealskin. I chose to do a small group to ensure my teaching was intentional through a one-on-one interaction. The class lasted 4 days (evenings) in order for their projects to be complete. The outcome was a success! Each participant learned the skill from start to finish and they feel confident in accomplishing this skill again on their own.
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Unangan Fishskin Boot Workshop
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Unangan Fishskin Boot Workshop
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
Project: ARTShops 2019 Unangan Fishskin Boot Workshop
Alaska State Council on the Arts Partnership
Story by: Laresa Syverson
At three ARTShop events during the summer and fall of 2019, I shared how to clean and process fish skins to use for sewing projects, with an overarching goal of researching and reclaiming Unangan footwear. After a generous donation of halibut skins from Westward Seafoods for the two fall events, local participants learned how to clean the skins, preserve the skins until ready for sewing, and were given multiple examples of how the drying and manipulating process will give varied results. Participants were given frozen, unprocessed fish skins to take home and use in a project of their own choosing. I am looking forward to having more opportunities to view Unangan footwear in person, forming patterns, and learning the Unangan language for teaching this art.
As I learned more about fish skins and how to use them, I also formed working relationships with local people and organizations. Just like there are many fish in the sea with unique skins that are useful for a variety of purposes, there are uniquely skilled people living in my community. I worked with a voice actor for advertising, the processing plants for different skins, and viewed gut sewing and stitching at our Museum. The ARTShop experience will enrich my creative process and my ability to lead within the community for years to come.
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Experimental Qaspeq Construction
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Experimental Qaspeq Construction
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
Project: ARTShops 2019 Qaspeq Sewing Workshop
Alaska State Council on the Arts Partnership
Story by: Amber Webb
During a series of qaspeq-making workshops, I came to a deeper understanding of the ways our cultural garments encourage connection. For thousands of years, the intimate act of making garments to fit the bodies of our loved-ones as a means of protection was also a way we told the world who we are. The act of self-identification through pattern work is a powerful one. During this project, I began noticing the small details that distinguish qaspeq artists and realized that qaspeq construction is as unique as the fingerprints of each person who makes them. Some of us have family patterns, but those of us that lost those can create them for the next generations in our families. The qaspeq is a functional symbol of adaptation and resiliency. Encouraging more people to learn the art of garment construction is a valuable way to assert indigenous identity and worldview. It is a way of knowing who we are. A friend of mine recently told me that indigenous people gain power when they dress like their ancestors did. We make qaspeqs honoring the spirit and ingenuity of the people who came before us.
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2019 Iñupiaq Kammak Making Workshop
Project: ARTShops 2019 Iñupiaq Kammak Making WorkshopAlaska State Council on the Arts PartnershipStory by: Marjorie Kunaq TahboneThe ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
Kammak for EVERYONE! is a project that brings seamstresses together to learn the fading practice of making traditional boots called kammak. The goal is to bring back the skills necessary to make kammak so that everyone has the capacity to make their own and for others. As a traditional Iñupiaq dancer I try to make my own regalia but I had a hard time making my own kammak because of the specific skills required to crimp the ugruk soles. With this course we flew in expert seamstress Mary Lou Sours to teach us from start to finish how to make patterns, crimp ugruk, and sew the kammak together. It was a 7-day intensive course that happened in June, and you better believe we used every bit of the 24 hour sunlight to complete our kammak in time.Through the course there were many trial and errors, frustrated students, and sore hands. But our instructor put all her support in us and guided our efforts toward success. It is a very advanced skill to be able to crimp hard bottom soles from ugruk, and the students were learning with little to no knowledge of the material. But throughout this difficult and taxing process we grew together as women and were able to help and support each other.My goal from this class is to teach others how to make their own kammak. I have already two classes scheduled to teach in Unalakleet and Nome in Spring 2020. I know that one day soon EVERYONE will have a pair of their very own kammak
A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2018 Lake Iliamna Traditional Seal Parka
Project: ARTShops 2018 Lake Iliamna Traditional Seal Parka
Alaska State Council on the Arts Partnership
Story by: Michelle Ravenmoon
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
For my ARTShop project I hunted seals with my sister Marlene Tilly in the winter of 2018. Marlene had taught me how to hunt seals on the ice the year before. I was able to harvest one seal for the project. Marl taught me the techniques for stretching, scraping, and salting the hide prior to tanning. I also harvested the seal fat to make seal oil and the meat for the elders in Kokhanok . Annie is the one elder in the area who knows how to make Lake Iliamna traditional-style seal parkas. All of us taking the class were sewers and we all had never made a parka before. In traditional times, there were many hunters and who brought seal home. There were also many who knew how to traditionally tan sealskins. We live in a time when there are less seal hunters and next to no one who tans skins traditionally anymore. Our problem as fur sewers is that our resources are very expensive and difficult to acquire enough to make a parka. I talked with Annie and she said our child-sized parka we made and its great worth because of the time, furs, and intellectual and cultural knowledge put into it. Some of us have never had the opportunity to learn because of our limited resources, including someone to teach us. This grant has given us an extraordinary opportunity to learn when many of us simply do not have the resources to do it on our own.It was peaceful to watch the ladies interact and fall into a time old tradition of gathering together, working on a community project and enjoying themselves. We could have been gathered a hundred years ago and it would be no different in our discussions. We told stories, laughed, and shared about our loved ones as we sewed. Many of the women said that this needs to happen more often. We remembered how important gathering and working together is. I feel like we all greatly benefited from the project, especially since we all gained knowledge of how to make a seal skin parka. The gathering together of women working on a collaborative project was not something that is done often these days and it was a great reminder of our roots and how this would be something our ancestors easily did. It was warming to my heart to be part of this process. I had no idea how traditional culture would shine through in a project such as this. We had limited time, we were adding some non-traditional techniques such as using a sewing machine for the non-fur lining, and we were sitting in the local bingo hall. I was impressed to hear the women starting to share our traditional languages (Yupiq and Dena’ina) as we put the parka together. I was able to gather some stories from the women on how they were taught, which was by observation, then by trying on their own. I was also impressed with watching how we got along, and the balance of the class. I watched as there were some power struggles between sewers, but how Annie took authority with gentleness and kindness. She never said a negative word to anyone but she did tell us when we did something wrong and we had to correct it. We were taught how to make the parka the “right way.”
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2018 Fish Wheel to Fish Skins
Project: ARTShops 2018 Fish Wheel to Fish Skins
Alaska State Council on the Arts Partnership
Story by: Rochelle Adams
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
One of the main things that I loved about this project was that it took place at home with the people I know and love. We worked together in the comfort of our own homes, in our own natural way that we communicate, learn and organize with one another, on our own lands and waters. It was very good to support that and to do this work with a strong foundation of our values and our own ways of knowing and being. Such as how we are respectful with each other, we place the utmost respect on our land while we are gathering materials, as we are on the River, while we have our fish wheel turning and in the smokehouse. We practiced our value of sharing and hard work together. This was a big success!
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A Journey To What Matters and ASCA Partnership- ARTShops 2018 Utqiagvik Bleached Seal Skin
Project: ARTShops 2018 Utqiagvik Bleached Seal Skin
Alaska State Council on the Arts Partnership
Story by: Bobby Lynn Itta
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What […]