Preston Singletary’s glass piece, “Copper Totem” is seen in this photo provided by Sealaska Heritage Institute.
Ketchikan artists Nathan Jackson and Delores Churchill, and Metlakatla’s David Boxley and his son Zach Boxley, will showcase art in the Tinaa Art Auction next February.
Officials at the Sealaska Heritage Institute hope the auction – their first in an effort to promote Northwest Coast Native art – will help fund the construction of the Walter Soboleff Center. The center will provide space for artist-in-residencies, exhibits, and other Northwest Coast art programs.
Sealaska Heritage Institute President Rosita Worl is excited that the auction will help educate people about Native art.
“People from everywhere are going to come and learn about our art and our artists,” she said.
The auction will be similar to the annual Santa Fe, New Mexico, Indian Market, a popular event that some local artists have attended. That event includes an annual art auction, which Worl says has raised awareness and appreciation of Southwest Indian Art. Worl hopes that the Juneau event will do the same for Northwest Coast Native art.
“And I think what it’s done for the community is really promoted an appreciation of Native art and Native people, and I think that’s what we’re hopeful of creating here in Juneau,” she said.
Other contributing artists will be Sitka’s Nicholas Galanin, and Washington artists Steve Brown and Preston Singletary.
Any established Northwest Coast artists interested in contributing to the auction can contact the Sealaska Heritage Institute. To find out more, visit www.jineit.com.
