SAVE THE DATE: Opening Reception Friday, April 28 l 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

As the Tongass Historical Museum reopens to the public after a 6 month renovation of the main floor, the first featured exhibition will showcase the continuity of the tradition of Northwest Coast art. Inspired by the role of the Totem Heritage Center’s Native Arts Studies Program in helping to revitalize the rich arts of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples, this exhibition follows the many pathways connecting contemporary art to traditions followed for millenia.

Through pieces that span across time and that reach beyond our political borders, we explore Ketchikan’s impact on what we now call Northwest Coast art and design. As Ketchikan grew from a seasonal fish camp to the city of today there were significant changes to not only the town’s physical infrastructure but also its cultural fabric. Whether it’s a functional cedar bark basket or a treasured button robe, these objects tell a compelling story of how Native traditions adapt to outside influences while at the same time work to uphold cultural ties, not only in Ketchikan’s earliest days but also in current times. At the heart of our exploration is the concept of at.óow. Literally translated as “property”, there are layers to its true meaning that describe how an object binds the present to one’s ancestors and thus reaffirms one’s identity in relation

upholding balance Featured first exhibit in the Tongass Historical Museum’s newly renovated rotating gallery

Spring 2017 Newsletter

to the clan. What is often considered “art”- a drum, a robe, a spoon - can actually be a bridge between the past and the future, connecting generations. This balance between

personal identity and clan identity, and the responsibility to one’s ancestors threads through the exhibition as we examine the influences and changes over time of Northwest Coast art.

To provide a glimpse into this complex story, museum artifacts are being supplemented with works chosen and loaned by artists throughout the Pacific Northwest, all with ties to Ketchikan. From up and coming business owners who have channeled Northwest Coast design into modern products to world renowned masters who have been creating and teaching for decades, our gratitude goes out to the many contributors who have generously shared their knowledge and their creations with the museum so that we can share their story with you.

As we also continue to develop a new permanent exhibition at the Historical Museum, set to open in 2018, we invite you to explore this enduring and inspiring story of Ketchikan’s history and heritage. What better way to celebrate this year’s 50th anniversary of the historic Centennial Building than by honoring those who first made this region home.

Native Arts Studies Programfinishes 40th Season

As we come to the end of the 40th season of the Native Arts Studies Program, it’s a time to not only celebrate all of the dedicated students of these past months, but also the many returning friends of the past years. This season featured Certificate of Merit awardee, Debbie McLavey, coming full circle to teach her first class at the Totem Heritage Center, Family Moccasin Making. In addition to former students, several former tour guides from THC’s own neighborhood returned as well, now as distinguished artists. Everett Athorp joined us for his first class as an instructor of Introduction to Northwest Coast Carving while Tommy Joseph returned to lead Intermediate and Advanced Carving: Canoe Bowls. Dorica Jackson’s Intermediate and Advanced Chilkat Weaving class hosted several instructors, a staff member and a tour guide as students, which speaks to the very essence of the Native Arts Studies Program: a continued committment to perpetuating the living artistic traditions of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. Our gratitude to all of our instructors who have shared their tremendous knowledge through the Native Arts Studies Program. We are honored to carry on this tradition and look forward to hosting the diverse students and esteemed instructors of the next 40 years.

Left to right: Christian Dalton in Intermediate and Advanced Carving: Canoe Bowls; Serene, Kaylee and Isabella Schreckhise and Elizabeth Rado in Family Moccasin Making Class;

Joshua Alguire in Spring Break Cedar Bark Weaving

“Loved this class! Instructor was great at challenging me with new techniques and methods while giving me enough time and space to work meditatively on my new found skills. A rewarding educational experience!”

- Mixed Level Cedar Bark Weaving student

Left to right: Instructor Dorica Jackson in Intermediate and Advanced Chilkat Weaving; Megan Hanifin, Gara Cesefske, Lisa Rittinger, Christian Dalton, Christina Weber, Susie Aoki and Kayla Williams in instructor Holly Churchill’s Introduction to Cedar Bark Weaving class; Malika Brunette

and instructor Diane Douglas-Willard in Mixed Level Cedar Bark Weaving

Haida weaver Tiffany Vanderhoop learned Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving from her mother, renowned weaver and instructor Evelyn Vanderhoop, starting with classes at the Totem Heritage Center followed by a five-year apprenticeship. Her grandmother is master weaver Delores Churchill, whose dedication to the revitalization of Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian weaving has shaped the history of Northwest Coast art in our area. Delores taught endangered techniques to weavers at the start of the Totem Heritage Center’s Native Arts Studies Program. Evelyn Vanderhoop continued this tradition as the primary instructor for Ravenstail and Chilkat weaving at the Center for over fifteen years.

Tiffany Vanderhoop has now emerged as a carrier of knowledge for the next generation of weavers. This exemplary, award-winning piece will help Ketchikan Museums present the vital role of Tiffany’s family to the history of weaving in Ketchikan, and will inspire local weavers for the future through its beauty and the skill in its creation. The Ravenstail Apron is woven with Merino wool and edged in fur. It uses traditional geometric Ravenstail designs while incorporating Chilkat weaving techniques to create curves illustrating the history and development of weaving techniques of the Northwest Coast.

Staff is eager to return archives and artifacts to their homes in collection storage and to begin installation of the new temporary exhibition. Local residents who grew up visiting the Centennial Building when it housed both the library and museum will now enter a beautiful lobby with a welcome desk created from wood that reflects the species of our local forest. An enormous spruce round that came from the Spruce Mill will grace one end and was generously donated by Hunter and Deb Davis. Our own Steven Villano built this featured piece with the help of Brian Curtis and metalwork fabricated by Rich Stage. Designed by the local architectural firm of Welsh Whitely Architects, LLC, visitors will appreciate the attention given to merging the old with the new. To reduce costs, the shell of the building remains the same while the interior offers simple upgrades to our historical building. Original wooden beams in the ceiling and structural poles have been re-stained to a richer brown. Slate tiles cover the majority of the public spaces, echoing local geology. The rainforest influenced paint colors as well and the result is a combination of deep blues, greens, reds, and rust reflecting the local colors of the ocean, moss, and the many subtle variations found in cedar.

A long-term exhibition on the history and heritage of Ketchikan is planned to open in the spring of 2018 in the larger of the two renovated galleries. In the smaller gallery space, exhibitions will change on a rotating schedule with our first to debut for this summer season. We look forward to sharing these new spaces with the community. If you have a story or a potential artifact to share, please contact the Museum staff at 907-225-5600.

Dawson Construction Has Left the Building!Tongass Historical Museum Main Level Renovation Complete

Rasmuson Art Acquisition Fund GrantAwarded for Tiffany Vanderhoop Ravenstail Apron

Ravenstail Apron by Tiffany Vanderhoop, created in 2014Purchased with the support of the Rasmuson Foundation

with assistance from Museums Alaska and the Tongass Historical Society

Dawson Construction’s Michael Brooks adds a final touch during the last week of the main floor renovation.

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDKetchikan, Alaska

Permit No. 95

629 Dock StreetKetchikan, Alaska 99901

Totem Heritage CenterTongass Historical Museum

Ketchikan Museums Calendar

Native Arts Studies Program

Cedar Bark Harvesting Dates determined by weather and tree condition. Please contact the Totem Heritage Center at staceyw@ktn-ak.us or 225-5900 to join the waiting list.

Open Craft Night Weekly on Thursdays, 6:00 - 9:00 P.M. October 2016 - March 30, 2017

upholding balanceAn exploration of Modern Northwest Coast

Design from 1900 to present On exhibit April 28, 2017 - March 2018

opening receptionFriday, April 28, 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.

celebration of the sea art walk Friday, May 5, 5:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Teachers! Interested in bringing your students to the Ketchikan Museums?

Field trips will be starting again in October.

Open HoursMay 4 - September 30

8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Daily

www.KetchikanMuseums.org

Pioneering airplane arriving in Ketchikan, 1929An Alaska-Washington Airways’ Lockheed Vega arrives in Ketchikan on April 19, 1929, after completing the first non-stop flight from Seattle to Juneau days earlier. Photo: Elliott Fisher THS 61.8.1.551

Tongass Historical Museum 629 Dock Street, Ketchikan 907.225.5600, Admission $3 (locals free)

Anita Maxwell, Acting Museum Director Tara Hofmann, Administrative SecretaryHayley Chambers, Sr. Curator of CollectionsErika Brown, RegistrarSteven Villano, Curator of ExhibitsLance Bifoss, Museum Attendant Totem Heritage Center 601 Deermount Street, Ketchikan 907.225.5900, Admission $5 (locals free)

Anita Maxwell, Sr. Curator of Programs Ann Froeschle, Program CoordinatorStacey Williams, Program Assistant