The Sheldon Jackson Museum welcomes Cup’ik grass basket and dance fan weaver and doll maker Neva Mathias as the second artist-in-residence of 2024. She will be creating art at the museum July 23-August 9. While in residence, Neva will offer a grass dance fan making class and a special traditional Cup’ik dance performance, accompanied by her daughter and granddaughter.
Neva first began making baskets in 1979. By 1985, she was an expert at her art form. She learned to make baskets and dolls, including how to prepare the raw materials to make them, from her mother. She makes her dolls during the winter months, using seal and rabbit fur, seal skin, and kuspuk materials. She makes grass baskets during the summer while she is at fish camp, collecting grasses from the beaches of Hooper Bay. Neva is employed as a teacher in the Chevak Middle and High Schools. When she is not teaching at school, she teaches doll making workshops and focuses on her art.
Neva’s grass dance fan making class is July 26 and August 1 & 2, 11 am-12 pm and 2-3:30 pm each day. Students are asked to attend all six class sessions. In this in-person only class at the museum, Mathias will teach how to make small grass dance fans. She will provide students with material packets the first day of the class. The class is free, but a $25 materials fee applies. Students should make a check out to Neva Mathias when they sign up. Class is for ages 18+ and is limited to eight students.
The Alaska Native Artist Residency Program is underwritten by the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum and is made possible with support from the Friends, the National Endowment for the Arts, Alaska Airlines, the Baranov Lodge, and private donors. To find out how to support the residency program or for future calendars of events and details, visit friendsofsjm.com.
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