2022 Graduate ARTShop Joni Spiess in Anchorage
Baby Bootie Making
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.
Iñupiaq instructor Joni Spiess from Nome taught Native parents, aunties/uncles and grandmas how to make northern Alaskan-style fur baby booties during our Graduate ARTShop project.
Classes were held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in April 2022. Two students attended on Zoom and six were in person for the class. The stories and conversations that come out during sewing circles are so memorable and fun and great examples of where real community bonds happen.
Fun was had by all. Thank you for this opportunity to share culture as a community.