For Immediate Release
July 27, 2021
SITKA – The Sheldon Jackson Museum is pleased to welcome Cup’ik artist-in-residence Neva Mathias. Mathias is a doll and basket maker from Chevak, Alaska. She will be at the museum July 28-August 12, 9 am-4 pm most days the museum is open.
She will teach a seven-part grass basket making class July 31-August 10. The class is currently full, but you can call the museum at (907) 747-8981 to be added to a waitlist and get details. The class is currently set to take place in-person at the museum. Students will be distanced and masks are highly recommended.
Mathias will give an artist recap talk on Saturday, August 7 at 2:30 pm to share some of the work she created during her time at the museum. There is very limited space to attend the talk in-person. Call (907) 747-8981 to reserve a spot. Or you can attend the talk online via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84654712340?pwd=M2JTbHF2OTNObDI2Mm5nOUNPV2taUT09
Meeting ID: 846 5471 2340
Passcode: 437015
Mathias began making baskets in 1979. By 1985, she was an expert at her art form. She learned how to make baskets and dolls from her mother. Mathias’ mother also taught her how to prepare raw materials. In the winter, Mathias uses seal and rabbit fur, seal skin, and kuspuk materials to make her dolls. In the summer, she collects grasses from the beaches of Hooper Bay to make baskets while she is at fish camp.
The Sheldon Jackson Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for ages 65+, and free for youth 18 and under or for Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum or Alaska State Museum members. The Sheldon Jackson Museum is compliant with state mandates pertaining to Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums. For more information on COVID-19 health mandates and advisories, please visit https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/.
Media Contact:
Patience Frederiksen
Director, Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums
907.465.2911
patience.frederiksen@alaska.gov
lam.alaska.gov
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