JUNEAU – The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is offering Northwest Coast Arts classes this spring featuring artist instructors Kay Parker and Lily Hope. Scholarships are available for Northwest Coast Arts classes through Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI), with advance application deadlines noted below. Classes can be taken for credit of non-credit.
February 22-23: Fiber Arts Spinning with Tlingit artist Lily Hope
The course includes study and practice of either hand or machine spinning using traditional fibers and methods, with a special emphasis on yarn design. Students will develop a skill for producing yarns of consistent quality. The course focuses on Chilkat and Ravenstail warp hand Thigh Spinning. (Scholarship deadline: February 10, 2020)
March 2-12: Northwest Coast Woolen Weaving with Kay Parker
This course covers traditional twining techniques used in ceremonial garments along the Northwest Coast will be studied through creation of regalia. (Scholarship deadline: February 17, 2020)
March 20-22: Natural Dye with Lily Hope
Topics studied include history, philosophy, and procedures for dyeing with plans and other naturally found dyestuffs. Students will learn how to use mordants, collect materials for dyes, extraction of the dye, as well as how to dye wool and other fibers. (Scholarship deadline: March 2, 2020)
SHI and UAS offer the “Sharing our Box of Treasures Scholarship,” intended to provide scholarships to Alaska Native students enrolling in the NWC art courses, but anyone may apply. The scholarship is meant to partially or fully cover tuition, course fees and other fees directly connected to the study of NWC Arts at the UAS Juneau Campus. Provided by SHI and UAS, the scholarship is funded by the US Department of Education ANEP Grant. The application can be found online at sealaska.org.
For help enrolling or more information, contact Davina Cole at drcole3@alaska.edu.
