Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDKetchikan, Alaska

Permit No. 95

The Totem Heritage Center offers an annual series of classes, workshops and seminars in Northwest Coast Native art and culture. Experienced instructors of the Northwest Coast Native art style conduct these classes to perpetuate and strengthen the traditional arts by sharing their knowledge with students. Program students may elect to pursue a Certificate of Merit or earn university credit. All classes listed are for adults (18 and older), unless stated otherwise.

Payment & Registration: Registration for classes is ongoing and can be made in person, by mail, by telephone at (907) 225-5900, or by fax at (907) 225-5901. Registration is complete and guaranteed upon receipt of payment. The Center accepts Mastercard and Visa, cash, checks, purchase orders, or a letter guaranteeing payment from an official funding agency.

Fees: Class fees are $175.00 for thirty-hour classes, or $150.00 with early registration, unless stated otherwise under the class listing. Forty-hour courses, and courses with visiting guest instructors will accordingly have increased rates.

Refunds: For classes with university credit, please call (907) 225-6177 for information on the University of Alaska refund policy. For all other classes, if you request a class registration refund, you will receive:

1. 100% refunded if the Totem Heritage Center cancels the class.

2. 100% refunded, less $5 processing fee, if you withdraw less than two weeks prior to start of class.

3. An 80% refund if you withdraw up to one week prior to the first day of class.

4. No refund if you withdraw less than one weekprior to the first day of class.

Cancellations: The Ketchikan Museum Department reserves the right to change or cancel any of its classes. Any class with fewer than ten (10) registered students ten days prior to the first day of class may be cancelled.

Class Tools & Materials: Students must provide their own class materials, supplies and tools unless otherwise indicated. A tools and materials list

will be distributed to all registered students prior to the start of class. Materials not available locally may be obtainable from the instructor or the Center and may be subject to a materials fee.

Location: Classes are located at the Totem Heritage Center, 601 Deermount, Ketchikan, Alaska, unless otherwise noted. The Center has one classroom in the upper level of the building and a workshop and classroom in the lower level. Ample free parking is available on the grounds.

Certificate Programs: Certificates in North-west Coast Native Arts may be earned through the University of Alaska Southeast and/or the Totem Heritage Center. The Totem Heritage Center offers the Certificate of Merit program leading to an award in three categories: Basketry & Weaving; Carving; and Regalia. The University of Alaska Southeast offers a Northwest Coast Art Occupational Endorse-ment upon completion of a 20-credit course of study.

Universtiy Credit: The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan Campus provides university credit for many Totem Heritage Center classes. Students may take specified classes for college credit by paying an additional fee to UAS.

Ketchikan MuseumsTongass Historical MuseumTotem Heritage Center629 Dock StreetKetchikan, Alaska 99901

Native Arts Studies Program

Above: Native Basket Weaver, 1906, Case and Draper photo, Alaska State Library - Historical Collections, ASL-PCA-39; Spruce root hat by Holly Churchill, 2013, Totem Heritage Center photo; David McLavey in the 2011 Introduction to Northwest Coast Design and Carving class at the Totem Heritage Center, Shelley Stallings photo. Background: Drawing by Cheryl Samuel of the Lynn Canal Robe, from The Raven’s Tail, 1987.

Totem Heritage CenterNative Arts Studies Program

Fall 2013 - Spring 2014

Register more than two weeks before the start of class to receive a discount on class fees.

Rates for class offerings are listed as regular / discount rate under each course.

Introduction to Power ToolsInstructor: Beth AntonsenOctober 7 – 9, 2013Monday – Wednesday, 6 – 9 PMRegistration Fee: $70 / $60 Materials: $10

Woodworker and furniture creator Beth Antonsen will teach students the safe and proper use of a variety of power tools while they make a traditional Northwest Coast-style cedar dance paddle. The knowledge and skills gained will be essential in all future carving classes and projects, and the dance paddle can be used for introductory design or carving classes. This course is a prerequisite for all carv-ing classes at the Totem Heritage Center.

Beginning & Intermediate Northwest Coast DesignInstructor: Wayne HewsonOctober 14 – 23, 2013Mondays – Fridays, 6 – 9 PMSaturday, 10 AM – 4 PMRegistration Fee: $175 / $150

Learn the fundamental principles of Northwest Coast design from Tsimshian carver Wayne Hewson. Beginning students will be introduced to formline design concepts and will learn to draw and creatively combine the foundational elements of Northwest Coast art. Intermediate students will further refine their design and composition skills to make more complex images. Each student will create an original design that can be used for carving, regalia, or applied to weaving projects.

Tool Making for CarversInstructor: Jake BeimlerOctober 24 – November 6, 2013Mondays – Fridays, 6 – 9 PM Saturdays, 10 AM – 3 PMRegistration Fee: $225 / $200 Materials: TBA

Experienced local blacksmith Jake Biemler has studied the process of creating historic and modern tools and weapons from cultures around the world, and has been making traditional Northwest Coast tools on commission for well-known local carvers. He has refined his methods of creat-ing adzes and several carving knife forms to make func-tional, durable and beautiful tools. Learn how to forge blades, shape handles, and assemble your own customized adze and carving knife in this forty-hour course.

Cedar Bark WeavingInstructor: Diane Douglas-WillardOctober 28 – November 8, 2013Mondays – Fridays, 6 – 9 PMRegistration Fee: $175 / $150Materials: $50 (small), $95 (large)

Haida weaver Diane Douglas-Willard will guide students in mixed-level cedar bark weaving projects, helping them to refine their skills and practice new techniques, or begin with weaving basics. Open weave clam or seaweed baskets will be the primary project focus, and beginning students will receive instruction in small, open weave or rattle-top basket projects. Students of all levels are encouraged to participate.

Beginning & Intermediate Northwest Coast CarvingInstructor: Wayne HewsonNovember 13 – 22, 2013Mondays – Fridays, 6 – 9 PM; Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PMRegistration Fee: $175 / $150 Materials: $10Prerequisite: Introduction to Power Tools

Tsimshian carver Wayne Hewson will introduce students to three-dimensional formline design, design transfer basics, and the tools and techniques of Northwest Coast carving, or help students refine carving basics. Students will create a relief carving project using their own design from the Introduction to Northwest Coast Design class, or by adapting a favorite formline image.

Intermediate & Advanced Northwest Coast Carving: FrontletsInstructor: Donald VarnellFebruary 3 – 15, 2014Mondays – Fridays, 6 – 9 PMSaturdays, 10 AM – 3 PMRegistration Fee: $225 / $200Prerequisite: Beginning NWC Carving

The Northwest Coast frontlet was traditionally worn by chiefs and other high ranking members of society for ceremonial events. The frontlet features the owner’s house or clan crest carved in high relief, and is traditionally part of an elaborate headdress. Renowned Haida carver Donald Varnell will instruct students in the design and carving of a traditional frontlet.

Spruce Root Weaving or Modern-Style Cedar Bark HatInstructor: Holly ChurchillFebruary 16 – 27, 2014Mondays – Thursdays, 6 – 9 PMSaturday, 10 AM – 6 PM, Sundays, 12 – 4 PMRegistration Fee: $225 / $200* Students are responsible for providing their own spruce roots. Please contact us for assistance. Cedar bark can be purchased from the instructor. Students are encouraged to attend the materials preparation session on Saturday, February 15, 10 AM - 3 PM

Haida weaver Holly Churchill will guide intermediate and advanced students in the creation of a small spruce root basket or covered bottle, or in making a modern-style cedar bark hat. Students will learn a wide array of twining techniques to create intricate textures and patterns. Spruce root is a unique material that is food safe and can be closely woven to make water-tight vessels, making this form of basketry essential for traditional food preparation and serving. Spruce root baskets are also some of the finest examples of exquisitely detailed craftsmanship in Northwest Coast Native art. Students can also opt to use traditional techniques to create a modern-style hat such as a fedora, beret, or baseball cap.

Bentwood Box ConstructionInstructor: Fred TroutMarch 3 – 12, 2014Mondays – Fridays, 6 – 9 PM Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PMRegistration Fee: $175 / $150 Materials: $30, Prerequisite: Intro to Power Tools

From storing food to holding the most valuable posessions, to cooking a day’s meal, the bentwood box was an important feature in Native households throughout Southeast Alaska. Students will learn the ingenious techniques

of bent-corner construction as taught by Tlingit artist Fred Trout. The bentwood box can be completed with a painted formline design in the Intermediate & Advanced Northwest Coast Design class.

Intermediate & Advanced Northwest Coast Design: Bentwood Box DesignInstructor: Fred TroutMarch 24 – April 2, 2014Monday – Thursday, 6 – 9 PMSaturday, 10 AM – 4 PMRegistration Fee: $175 / $150 Prerequisite: Beginning NWC Design

Instructor Fred Trout will guide students in creating a four-part formline design to complete their newly-constructed bentwood box. Students will practice design transferring techniques and will paint their original design in acrylic. Students can also opt to work on a panel or another painted design project of their choice with instructor guidance. Build on knowledge of the basic principals of formline design to make a your own fully-developed and expressive image.

Mixed-Level Ravenstail WeavingInstructor: Cheryl Samuel April 12 – 20, 2014Saturdays and Sundays, 10 AM – 4 PMMonday – Thursday, 5:30 – 9 PM, Friday 7 – 8 PMRegistration Fee: $375 / $350Prerequisite: Intermediate-level weaving experienceMaterials: Medicine bag kits can be purchased from the instructor for $80. Call for more info!

Cheryl Samuel, internationally acclaimed weaver, researcher, author and teacher, is credited with reviving Ravenstail weaving on the Pacific Northwest Coast. In 1987 Cheryl published The Raven’s Tail, her second definitive work on Northwest Coast weaving and an essential reference for those who practice this artform. This ancient weaving technique predates Chilkat, and is characterized by intricate geometric designs in striking black and white. She returns to Ketchikan for the first time in over 20 years to teach weaving techniques as students create a Ravenstail medicine bag, or work on a current project under Cheryl’s expert guidance.

History of Northwest Coast Art

Instructor: Steve HenriksonApril 25 – 27 &

May 2 – 4, 2014Fridays, 5:30 – 9 PMSaturdays, 10 AM – 5 PM, Sundays, 12 – 5:30 PM

Registration Fee: $175 / $150

Guest instructor Steve Henrikson, Curator of Collections for the Alaska State Museum, will trace the development of the visual arts of the Northwest Coastal peoples from the earliest records into one of the world’s richest contemporary traditions. Cultural and regional variations and cross-cultural influences will be studied, using historic writings, photographs, and objects from the Ketchikan Museums’ collection in this survey course.

For more information on our instructors, please visit www.KetchikanMuseums.org

Class Schedule

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

Bentwood Box, Fred Trout

Lightning Legging, Cheryl Samuel.

Spring Break Cedar Bark Weaving for Youth

March 17 – 21, 2014

Hey kids! Learn traditional Northwest Coast Haida-style cedar bark weaving with Holly Churchill during spring break vacation. Class will meet

Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM. Grab your friends, bring a lunch and learn to weave!

Averie Archibald gets help with her project from Instructor Holly Churchill in the 2013 Youth Weaving class.

Handmade Adze, Steve Brown.

Sign up two weeks before the class start date and receive a discount on your registration fee.

Headdress frontlet, Charles Edenshaw. Brooklyn

Museum, 50.158

Sonya Klippert weaving in Fall 2012.

Ages 10 – 18Registration Fee: $125, Materials included

Scholarships are available. Call 225-5900 for more information.

Steve Henrikson constructs a replica fish trap.