Plan your Visit

June 14 - August 14 - Alaska Native Carving Demonstrations

In mid June through July we will be having Southeast Carvers at our Southeast Village Site designing and carving four different house posts representing the four different cultures of southeast Alaska, the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, & Tsimshian. When the totems are finished they will be added to our Clan House. Come and visit us to see the Master Carvers in action!
Download flyer here

August 9 - Installation of the Eyak house post and celebration  12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

August 10 - Installation of the Tlingit house post and celebration  12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

August 11 - Installation of the Tsimshian house post and celebration 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

August 12 - Installation of the Haida house post and celebration 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.

August 13 - Grand Opening celebration of the new house posts - Dancing, music and more! 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Celebrations flyer

Celebrations will include presentations from culture representatives, dancing, music and more. Regular admission rates apply. 

DAVID BOXLEY - Carving the Tsimshian House Post - Subject is Respect for Environment

JOE and TJ YOUNG - Carving the Haida House Post - Subject is Respect for Family

ISRAEL SHOTRIDGE - Carving the Eyak and Tlingit House Posts - Subjects are Respect for Self and Respect for Culture

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness authentic southeast carving by Alaska Native carvers, as they pass along their skills and their stories.
Regular Admission rates apply - for tickets click here

Carvers -

David Boxley - David Boxley is a Tsimshian carver from Metlakatla, Alaska. Born in 1952, he was raised by his grandparents. From them he learned many Tsimshian traditions including the language. He became a teacher and basketball coach to Junior and Senior high students in Alaska and Washington.

While teaching in Metlakatla in 1979 he began devoting considerable time to the study of traditional Tsimshian carving. Through researching ethnographic material and carvings from museum collections, Boxley has learned the traditional carving methods of his grandfather's people.
 
David Boxley is a nationally recognized Indian artist showing and demonstrating his art in many parts of the United States and Europe.

David Boxley is the first Alaskan Tsimshian to achieve national prominence; he is particularly well respected as a totem pole carver, having carved 65 poles in the last 26 years. He has taught and demonstrated at numerous museums and institutes including the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.; Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.; Epcot Center, Disney World, Florida; and many more.

Boxley's functional and decorative pieces such as bentwood boxes, rattles, masks, prints and panels are in collections around the world. 

Israel Shotridge:

Israel Shotridge is one of Alaska's finest Tlingit carvers, he was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska in the heart of the Tongass National Forest which was named after his tribal ancestors; the Tongass Tribe (Taantakwaan), the SeaLion people. Israel is a member of the Bear Clan, which in Tlingit is written as "Teikweidee." Israel's Tlingit name, Kinstaadaal, means "The Bear That's Standing Up." His lineage is from his mother Esther Shea who was the matriarch of the Teikweidee - Taantakwaan of Ketchikan, from the Kaats Hit Bear House. His father Milton Jackson was a Kaagwantaan Tlingit from Klukwan, Alaska.

Over the past 25 years, Israel has accomplished many significant works of art. Most noted are the many replicated monumental tribal totem poles located throughout Southeast Alaska. Shotridge's totems stand in Totem Bight National State Park, Klawock, Alaska's Totem Park, Saxman, Alaska's Totem Park, and downtown Ketchikan. Three most significant totems to Shotridge's credit are the 55' Chief Johnson Totem Pole which Israel replicated in 1989 and two other more recent contemporary totem poles, the 40' KIC Totem Pole which honors the Native community of Ketchikan, Alaska and the 12' "Hall of Nations" U.S. Forest Service totem that is installed in the headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Shotridge's Totem Poles, House Screens, Relief Panels, Masks, Canoes, Bentwood Boxes, and Ceremonial Objects all have been commissioned specifically for museums, airports, public, corporate and private collections throughout the United States, Scotland, Germany and England.

As a highly skilled Master in Carving and Engraving, Israel's artworks are continually sought after by collectors wishing to acquire the finest in traditional Tlingit artistry.

In addition to creating commissioned masterpieces, Israel often finds time to share his knowledge by teaching Tlingit Culture & the Art of Carving to the community at large, young and old, and any one interested to learn.

Joe and TJ Young - 

Gidaawaan (Joe Young) is from the yakw'laanaas Raven clan, and born and raised in the Haida village of Hydaburg, Alaska. He was adopted from the eagle clan for marriage purposes therefore taking his grandfathers' name. He grew up learning and practicing the basics of drawing until Junior high school, then moved on to carving wood pieces. Joe learned the basics from Warren Peele and worked with his niece Crystal Peele.  He is fortunate enough to have his younger brother as a workmate.  They have carved all their major works alongside each other. Joe enjoys the opportunity to help preserve the Haida culture as well as teach it to the next generation.

TJ is part of the Haida Nation and considers it an honor to carry on the traditions of his ancestors. Sgwaayaans (TJ) is from the Yaadaas Eagle Clan of the Kaigani Haida, in Hydaburg, Alaska.  His grandfather Claude Morrison first showed him the proper way to carve a functional halibut hook and was a major influence on his progression as a Haida artist. He has learned from artists, Joe Young, Dan Wallace and Jim McGuire.
Translating our stories, legends, beliefs through art is both challenging and gratifying. The main medium he works in is wood, mostly red/yellow cedar, and alder. 

Presented by:

 

Israel Shotridge

Joe Young

TJ Young