The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundatio...
The ARTShops program is a collaboration between the Alaska State Council on the Arts, the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation and The CIRI Foundation’s A Journey to What Matters: Increased Alaska Native Arts and Culture grant program. Established in 2016, ARTShops support emerging Alaska Native arts leaders to develop their skills in leading community-based arts programs.
Graduate ARTShops 2021Caribou Tufting and Beading MedallionsStory by: Rochelle Adams, ARTShop Leader
I’m so excited about the workshop that I was able to complete for my Garduate ARTShop project. I was able to hold it during the same time as our Native Language Technical Institute in Gwichyaa Zhee/ Fort Yukon when our elders were gathered from the region to do language work.
We made caribou hair medallions and other projects. First we dyed the caribou hair and then we did caribou hair tufting and beading. I learned a lot in the process and will be making language lessons to share with my pictures. I hope to someday make a book out of it.
I really loved this project! I grew a lot in the language, it strengthened my connection to my culture, our cultural knowledge, my community and the participants. I’m grateful to shape my thought process of this activity within the language and to create an actual piece that was done entirely in immersion.
Mahsì’ choo for the opportunity!
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Graduate Artshops 2021 at Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage. Photo courtesy of TCF.
"I see patients who look like my family. They trust me because I understand where they come from."
A Journey To What Matters And Asca Partnership Graduate Artshops 2021's story is one of thousands. Every semester, TCF scholarship recipients across Alaska and the Lower 48 are building careers, strengthening communities, and investing in the next generation. The cycle of support continues.
