ARTShops

ARTShops program is a collaboration between The CIRI Foundation (TCF), the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) and the Alaska Native Heritage Center (ANHC).

Each year, pending funding availability, up to four ARTShops leaders are selected through an invited application process to design a community-based arts project. During the course of six-to-nine months the ARTShops leaders plan, develop and implement their project while receiving peer-to-peer support and mentoring from a cohort of ARTShops leaders. In addition to making art, ARTShops leaders explore the holistic understanding of art by examining connections between art making and family, language, and Alaska’s unique ecosystem.

Read moreARTShops: An Alaska Native Arts Leadership Program

Fall 2023

  • Clara McConnell in Kotzebue/Anchorage: Inupiaq sewing
  • Risa Causey in Unalaska: Basket weaving techniques from start to finish

2023

  • Mikngayaq Selena Malone in Toksook Bay: Sunshine Ruff Making
  • Elaine Kingeekuk in Savoonga: Doll Making
  • Eric Hamar in Kasaan: Art of Eating: Haida Ladles
  • Stacey Williams in Ketchikan (Saxman included): Northwest Coast Regalia: Leather Leggings

2022

  • William Bolton in Metlakatla: Tsimshian Panel Making
  • Nikki Corbett in Nome: Qaspeq Sewing Workshop
  • Rachael Kangas in Ruby: Fish Skin Tanning & Salmon Bone Earring Making
  • Anfesia Tutiakoff in Unalaska: Unangax Waterproof Stitching to make a Child Size Chigdax/Kamleika

2021

  • Merna Wharton in Anchorage: Womens’ Kameksak (skin boots)
  • Golga Oscar in Tununak: Yup’ik Regalia
  • Wilson Hoogendorn in Nome: Harpoon Making
  • Sonta Hamilton Roach in Shageluk: Deg Hit’an Carving Traditions

2020

  • Raven Cunningham in Cordova: Traditional and Contemporary Skin Sewing with Marine Mammals
  • Diloola Erickson in Fairbanks/Kaltag: Fish Tanning Camp
  • Apay’uq Moore in Twin Hills: Yurarrcuutnek piliiyuggtua (I want to make dance fans)
  • Robert Mills in Juneau/Kake: Reviving Bentwood Boxes

2019

  • Joni Edwardsen in Utqiagvik: Kamipiaq hard bottom crimping class
  • Amber Webb in Kasilof: Qaspeq sewing workshop
  • Marjorie Tahbone in Nome/Fairbanks: Iñupiaq kammak making workshop
  • Laresa Hope Syverson in Unalaska: Unangan fishskin boot workshop

2018

  • Michelle Ravenmoon in Pope Vannoy: Fresh water seal parka making workshop
  • Rochelle Adams in Beaver/Fort Yukon: Fish wheel building, king salmon skin tanning/sewing
  • Bobby Itta in Utqiagvik: Seal skin processing techniques workshop
  • Benjamin Charles in Bethel: Mask carving workshop

2017

  • Melissa Shaginoff in Chickaloon/Kenai/Anchorage: Museum research and 3D replication project
  • Marlene Nielsen in Kokhanok: Grass sewing workshop
  • Lily Hope inJuneau: Woven Chilkat faces and exhibition project
  • Mary Wheelerin Sitka: Sheldon Jackson “Alumni room” exhibition project

2016

  • Teri Rofkar in Sitka: Four generations of spruce root weaving, harvesting and processing
  • Sven Haakanson in Old Harbor/Seattle/Kodiak: Kayak construction documentation
  • Anna Hoover in Naknek/Anchorage: Grass sewing workshop
  • Lena Berns in Old Harbor: Alutiiq cell phone makingN
ARTShops projects have taken place all across Alaska and have included the following leaders:
Graduate ARTShops Program

In June of 2020, TCF expanded the ARTShops program to include a Graduate ARTShops opportunity through a partnership with the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation. The 2020 Graduate ARTShops program was developed with the goals of supporting Alaska Native artists who have successfully completed an ARTShops project, and providing community arts programming to rural Alaska through virtual workshops during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023 Graduate ARTShops

  • Nikki Corbett in Kenai: Piluguks (hard-sole bottom boots) workshop
  • Robert Mills in Kake: Formline design workshop
  • Sonta Roach in Shageluk: Root basketry workshop

2022 Graduate ARTShops

  • Lena Amason in Kodiak: Kodiak Island Animals “Nunam, Imam, Qilam” (land’s, sea’s, sky’s)- keep drawing project.
  • Anna Hoover (virtually): Modern Sewing Circle: baby bootie workshops
  • Golga Oscar in Kasigluk: Fancy Parka Project

2021 Graduate ARTShops

  • Rochelle Adams (Virtually): Beaded moose skin pendants
  • Melissa Shaginoff in Anchorage/Virtually: Caribou and moose hide work
  • Amber Webb in Dillingham/Aleknagik: Cauyaq (drum) making workshop

2020 Graduate ARTShops

  • Marjorie Tahbone in Fairbanks: Video documentation of kammak making
  • Bobby Itta in Utqiagvik: Parka trim workshops via Zoom
  • Mary Goddard in Sitka: Copper jewelry apprenticeship
EPG First Light Alaska at MEHS Grass Dance Fans Workshops with Loulare Moore
Want to recommend an ARTShops leader?

Please contact The CIRI Foundation if you know of an emerging arts leader in your community who you would recommend as a future potential ARTShops leader.

Recent Stories from ARTShop Participants