Anna Brown Ehlers
Tlingit
Juneau, AK

Alaskan Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities Announced...
(See Anna Ehlers...)

Anna knew she wanted to be a Chilkat weaver at an early age.  As a child she observed leaders of the tribe and respected elders wearing the Chilkat blankets at potlatch ceremonial gatherings.  These blankets represent a sign of power, influence and stature within the tribal community.  She says, "it was the richness of color, the grace and flowing movements of the Chilkat clad dancer that exhilarated me the most."  As an adult, Anna gained the honor of studying under Jenny Thlunaut, age 92, who took Anna as her first apprentice.  The traditional style of Chilkat weaving is one of the most complex techniques of traditional weavings and today has become highly valued because of the handful of women who continue the tradition of this rare artform.  Anna adds, "today those images of dancers from years ago still drive my creative spirit."

Project Description:
Anna plans to capture on digital all of the Chilkat weavings she has created in the past 22 years.  She plans to design and manage her own web domain, to include both digital photography and live streaming.  Anna’s project will capture both audio and video footages of the Tlingit elders on the history and cultural significance of Chilkat blankets.

Click to enlarge image

.

Darrell Norman
Blackfeet
Browning, MT

Mr. Norman lives on the Blackfeet reservation in northwest Montana where he is a storyteller, carrier of Blackfeet songs and the creator of traditional Blackfeet art forms such as drums, rattles, shields, headdresses, parfleches.  He believes visual arts are intertwined with the oral language and the soul and that in combination, they ensure the survival and longevity of the Blackfeet culture.

Mr. Norman teaches art in the Browning School District and is developing a full art curriculum for the students.  Through his own gallery and the Internet, in addition to his own work, he also markets artwork made by his fellow tribal members.  His traditional songs can be heard world-wide and are distributed through Canyon Records.

Project Description:
Darrell’s plans to strengthen his inventory in his gallery and for upcoming art shows.  These include drums, par fleche containers, a painted buffalo hide as well as three contemporary pieces based on geometric design which reflects the theme of his gallery this season.  He will put a lot of focus on marketing research to reach new customers.

Click to enlarge image

.

Diane Schenandoah
Oneida
Oneida, NY

Diane says, "the art I create is directly linked to maintaining a distinct cultural identity and contributes to passing on important traditional beliefs of Iroquois people."  She adds, "As a Faithkeeper, a mother of five, a citizen of the Haudenosaunee, Iroquois Confederacy, it is my responsibility to give to my community all the support, love and gift of art I have been given, so they may take it with them and pass it on to the coming generation."

Project Description:
Diane has developed a line of high-end jewelry.  In particularly, she has created miniature deer and antler sculptures that she converted into silver and gold pendants/pins through casting of the original sculptures.  Diane will expand this jewelry line to a total of 10 finished pieces to market and sell within the grant year.

Click to enlarge image

.

Kathy Whitman
Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara
Phoenix, AZ

Spiritual beliefs from the essence of Kathy's work and have helped reconnect her with traditional ways and a positive spiritual path.  Known primarily for her sculpture of alabaster, soapstone, and marble, she is also recognized as an accomplished painter and jeweler.  The harmony achieved in her work and in her life comes through in every medium she undertakes.  To see and touch the things she has made connects us as one with the stone, the earth and the universe.

Project Description:
Kathy’s project involves having 2 different bronze sculptures done, with a limited edition of 30 each.  One sculpture is done in Colorado alabaster and the other in clay/wax.  Kathy's focus will be to better understand the bronze industry, such as who are the buyers, what type of bronze sells the most, etc.

Click to enlarge image

.