Andrea Wilbur Sigo in the Artist Studio

About the Artist

Andrea Wilbur-Sigo, born in 1975 in Shelton, Washington, is an accomplished artist and a proud member of the Squaxin Island Tribe and the SteChess family. As the granddaughter of Bert and Arline Wilbur and Dennis Allen, and the great-granddaughter of Andrew and Betty Peterson, her artistic lineage runs deep. Notably, her great-great-grandfather, Henry Allen, was a significant historical and cultural informant for an ethnographic study of the Twana and Salish people.

Andrea is recognized as the first known Native woman carver in a lineage of many generations of carvers. Surrounded by a rich artistic environment from a young age, she began her artistic journey at the age of three, engaging primarily in beadwork before expanding her repertoire to include various Coast Salish art forms. Her work encompasses the creation of bentwood boxes, welcome figures, house posts, masks, panels, button blankets, as well as twine and twill weaving, and basket weaving.

Throughout her artistic career, Andrea has been mentored by several esteemed master carvers, including Loren White, Susan Point, Pete Peterson, Joe and George David, and Dempsey Bob. She is committed to continuously researching and enhancing her skills to enrich her art.

Andrea made her debut exhibition in December 1997, and soon after, she garnered attention at the First Annual Indian Art Northwest show in Portland, Oregon, in May 1998, where she earned first place and an Honorable Mention. Her success in art shows has remained consistent over the years, with notable achievements including first place at the Heard Museum show in 2006, Best of Show and People's Choice at the inaugural Annual Native Art Show in Tacoma, Washington, and continued recognition at subsequent shows.

In 2016, she triumphed at the International Salish Wool Weavers Symposium in Suquamish, Washington, winning first place and People's Choice for her fully twined blanket, which she created for her daughter's graduation.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Andrea is deeply committed to her community, volunteering her time and talent for various events and serving on the tribal museum board. She is also dedicated to education, regularly teaching Coast Salish art classes to children and adults in local tribes, fostering a new generation of artists.