Carving Demonstrations: Emerging Artists Series

Come watch talented young carvers as well as established artists create totems, masks, boxes and more at the Burke Museum on selected Saturdays (see dates below).

Stephen Jackson Carves Totems

Stephen Jackson, Tlingit carver, creates an original work of art inspired by the Kaats grizzly bear legend of the Saanyakwan Tlingit. Stephen and his renowned father Nathan Jackson are creating a pair of poles to replace the ones recently repatriated to the Tlingit by the Burke Museum. Stephen's pole is a radically contemporary design, which incorporates Northwest formline design elements into an innovative, abstract composition.

Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, Sealaska Heritage Institute, and Cape Fox Corporation.

Brief Biographies

David Boxley (Tsimshian)

David Boxley is a Tsimshian carver from Metlakatla, Alaska. He left a teaching career to devote all of his energies toward carving and researching the legacy of Northwest Coast Native American art. David Boxley is an internationally recognized artist showing and demonstrating his art in many parts of the United States and Europe. He is a master of many forms: from totem poles and masks to box drums and prints. For more information about the artist, please visit David Boxley's web site at www.davidboxley.com

David Robert Boxley (Tsimshian)

David is the son of renowned carver and cultural leader David A. Boxley. All of his life, David has been exposed to Northwest Coast Native art and culture, traveling with his father across the United States and Canada raising totem poles and performing traditional Tsimshian dancing. Now making a name for himself as a carver, David was recently commissioned to carve a totem pole for the Quileute Tribe, which stands in front of their tribal center in La Push, Washington. In addition to his notable talents as a carver, he creates two-dimensional prints and silk-screens; and designs apparel for dancers.

Bruce Cook (Haida)

Local Haida artist Bruce Cook worked with sculptor Steve Brown to complete a cedar canoe which was recently exhibited at the Legacy Gallery in Seattle. Bruce participated in the “Gathering of Indigenous Visual Artists of the Pacific Rim,” at the Evergreen State College in June, 2001. Hailing from the village of Hydaburg, Alaska, Bruce carves masks, canoes, and totem poles. He worked recently with a team of carvers who created a housepost figure honoring Upper Skagit linguist and leader Vi Hilbert, which currently stands at IslandWood, on Bainbridge Island.

Frank Fulmer (Tlingit)

Frank Fulmer was born into the Tlingit legacy rich in tradition. His family hails from a small village called Hoonah, gateway to Glacier Bay, Alaska. Frank's first inspiration came from totem poles carved by his great grandfather, Frank St. Clair. Based upon an 1880 photo found in the Burke Museum archives, Frank felt inspired to carve a replica of a 10 ft. Raven dance staff for the Burke Museum's Emerging Artist Series. For more information about this Tlingit artist, please visit the website for Frank Fulmer at www.wolfheadstudios.com

Lorene Kengerski, Shadu'Claw (Tlingit/Aztec)

Tlingit traditions run strong in Shadu'Claw's life. She and her four children & mother are dancers and singers with The Alaskan Kuteeya Dance Group. She's a captivating storyteller, a weaver of raven's tail and cedar, and a regalia designer with beads, buttons and wool. She loves working with children as a Cultural Literacy Specialist with Head Start & Early Head Start with a local tribe in Washington.

Shadu'Claw was embraced by strong Tlingit culture growing up in Hoonah, Alaska. Her life was in a village and her teaching was with her family. She is from the Kik'sadi Clan, Raven Frog Seagull from the Coho House. To date she finds herself involved with Alaskan culture as well as Native American culture. Her experience has been as Cultural Educator with the Alaska Native Heritage Center and as Artist with their First Juried Art Show, where her basket collection traveled to the Peabody Museum. She received her education at Northwest Indian College; her degree is in Native American Arts & Cultural Studies.

Shaun Peterson (Puyallup)

Born in 1975 in Puyallup, Washington, Shaun Peterson is of Puyallup and Tulalip descent. He works in the Coast Salish style, and has spent much time studying the components of Coast Salish art in museums. He combines contemporary materials with traditional design approach. Shaun¹s work is now part of public and private collections around the world. Public works include carved cedar panels, etched glass, and steel sculpture in Seattle and Tacoma. His drums, rattles, masks, and serigraphs can be found in various galleries of Northwest Coast Native art.

Israel Shotridge and the Sun Raven Pole

In a series of special demonstrations on Wednesdays and Saturdays from April 19 through July 2, Israel Shotridge (with apprentice Fred Fulmer) will demonstrate the art of totem pole carving as he completes a full-sized replica of the famous Tlingit Sun Raven pole. Shotridge has been working to preserve the totems of the Tlingit people for 20 years. For more information, www.shotridgestudios.com.