The Sheldon Jackson Museum is pleased to announce the museum’s next artist in the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program, Pamela Johnson (Tlingit). Johnson's first day at the museum is Thursday, October 1st.
During her residency, Johnson will work in the gallery, teach an 8-part virtual regalia making class on Zoom, and give an artist talk October 17th at 2pm on Zoom. Participation in the regalia class is limited to those who sign up, but videos of the class will be posted on the Friends YouTube channel at a later date. The public may attend the Oct. 17th artist talk entitled, “Cultural Identity through Fabric” by going via Zoom. The artist talk will also be filmed and posted to the Friends YouTube channel at a later date.
Johnson is originally from Sitka and of Raven/Coho clan. Her medium of choice is sewing garments, specifically traditional Tlingit button robes and vests. She enjoys sharing information about the crests she incorporates into her sewing and researching old photographs of regalia and representations of her family’s crests. She began making regalia in high school when she learned how to sew from her cousin Amanda Johnson and Carol Breece and found inspiration in elder Laurie Guthrie’s work. She enjoys making regalia for family and friends and has many ambitions. Johnson hopes to someday learn ravenstail weaving, how to engrave silver, carve traditional Tlingit style totem poles and eventually, make a house panel.
When she is not sewing or teaching her daughters and friends and family members how to sew, Pam is busy working with youth in schools and at Tlingit and Haida tribal camps and working in an administrative capacity for tribal organizations. She is also busy with her studies and is currently enrolled in the Northwest Coast Art Program at UAS. Johnson’s 2020 residency at the Sheldon Jackson Museum will be her first artist residency experience.
The Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum have been underwriting the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program for over thirty years. The Friends wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the National Endowment for the Arts, Alaska Airlines, and private donors for making the Alaska Native Artist-in-Residence Program possible, and to thank Pamela, for coming to join us in Sitka and for sharing her artwork and culture!
Visitors may come to the museum to see Pamela working on her artwork most days between Tuesday and Saturday from noon until 4pm between October 1st and October 17th. Museum admission is $5 for general admission, $4 for seniors, and free for ages 18 and under. People may call the museum directly at (907) 747-8981 with any questions about the residency program and relevant events.
Media Contact:
Patience Frederiksen, Director
907.465.2911
patience.frederiksen@alaska.gov
lam.alaska.gov
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