Washington Museum To Host Community Arts Symposium

French (Tlingit), Chilkat weaver, button-blanket maker, beadworker and regalia maker, was selected to develop a one-day symposium to discuss an art-related topic of local relevance for the museum’s Native Arts Program Community Arts Symposium.

The purpose of this symposium is to investigate shared commonalities and values of traditional and contemporary artists; uncover when and where these commonalities and values diverge and converge; and explore what new understandings artists gain from these examinations.

The panel of experts includes moderator Aldona Jonaitis, director of the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks; a multidisciplinary artist Nick Galanin (Tlingit/Aleut); Marianne Nicolson (Dzawada’enuxw), installation artist and art instructor; and Nathan Jackson (Tlingit), woodcarver, metalsmith, dancer and a 1995 National Education Association National Heritage Fellowship recipient.

The symposium is held in conjunction with the Northwest Coast Artists’ Gathering 2008, which brings together artists and support agencies June 4 at the Old Armory. This is a chance for artists to show up to six images of their work and be recognized. Representatives from support agencies will talk about their missions and how they wish to work with artists. The afternoon is a networking session, with artists and agencies sharing ideas, techniques and materials.

The Native Arts Program, established in 1996, aims to support and encourage the development of cultural self-confidence for Indigenous and Native Hawaiian artists and affirm and reflect the diversity, achievements and leadership of Indigenous cultures and arts of the Americas and Hawaii. -- www.samuseum.sa.gov.au