Exhibits & Events at Sheldon Jackson Museum

The Sheldon Jackson Museum welcomes Lingít formline artist James G̱ooch Éesh Hart as the third artist-in-residence of 2024. 

James will be in-residence at the Sheldon Jackson Museum August 20 - September 6. He has always felt a strong sense of connection with his Tlingit ancestry. Growing up, Hart picked up on small things his grandparents did such as words they used, food they ate, and gatherings they attended that connected them to the people and land around them. Currently, he serves his community as the President of the Chilkoot Indian Associations Tribal Council and operates his own design business, 3mile Designs. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his niece and nephew and coaching basketball.

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.

September 13, 2-3 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum (Zoom unfortunately cancelled due to internet outage in Sitka) 

Sheldon Jackson Museum artist-in-residence Tina Harness (Yup’ik) will give a talk on “Traditional relevance in our Modern Creative World.” Harness will talk about the ties between Yup’ik traditional art (everyday tools and wares) and how it influences Yupiit modern creativity today. She will share how contemporary artists can look at the quality and workmanship of Yup’ik pieces and work with those same values in modern art. She will speak about the Yup’ik people, patterns, colors, and composition and use examples she has learned from her grandmother and from elders in her region. Harness will “go into traditional beliefs in making things; how the land and the animals know when care and love has been put into the items we use. For example, when you care for your 'stuff,' the land cares for you.” She will also delve into the mindset and thoughts put into art as it is created and how traditionally, Yup’ik were “expected to be careful with our minds, as it can leak into the things we touch and create.”

September 19, 9-12 and 1:30-3:30
Sheldon Jackson Museum 

Tina Cupell'aq Harness (Mixed Yup’ik) will teach a two-part beaded earring class. The class is for ages 12+. Youth need to be accompanied by an adult. To register, call (907) 747-8981 or stop by the museum. Please make a check out to Tina Harness for $50 or bring cash when you sign up. Space is limited.

September 20, 2-3 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

Sheldon Jackson Museum artist-in-residence Tina Harness (Yup’ik) will share a selection of cultural belongings from the Sheldon Jackson Museum’s permanent collection.

Zoom Details

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89780749013?pwd=wMJk7wFan6P7uPbNTstChLRpJjbO3W.1

Meeting ID: 897 8074 9013
Passcode: Harness

October 2, 11 am-12 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum (possibly also on Zoom – TBD)

Sheldon Jackson Museum artist-in-residence Tina Harness (Yup’ik) will talk about the importance of journaling for the creative mind and give a quick overview of the benefits of getting thoughts, good and bad, out of our heads and onto the page. Next, she will offer some journal prompts to encourage reflections on creative flow. Please bring a journal and pen.

The Sheldon Jackson Museum is pleased to announce that it will host the following artists this summer and fall through the Alaska Native Artist Residency Program:

• Lisa Kamahamak Lynch, Inupiaq painter and beader (June 11-July 2)
• Neva Mathias, Cup’ik grass weaver and dance fan maker (July 23-August 11)
• James G̱ooch Éesh Hart, Lingit carver (August 20-September 8)
• Tina Cupell'aq Harness, Mixed Yup’ik beader (September 12-October 2)
• Denali Taniilux̂ McGlashan, Unangax painter (October 3-24)   

Resident artists will create art at the museum, study the permanent collection, give talks, and offer hands-on-classes. Classes are offered at the museum free of charge, although some have materials fees to help cover costs. Some classes are open to youth and adults while others are for 18+. All classes require advance registration. Space is limited. To register, call the museum at (907) 747-8981.

Lisa Kamahamak Lynch (Inupiaq) will teach a beginner’s beading class compromised of two Thursday sessions on June 13 & 20, 2-3:30 pm both days. Lynch will teach students ages 10+ how to make either a beaded keychain or a pair of beaded earrings. The class is free, but there is a $10 materials fee. A check made out to Lisa Lynch is due at the time of sign up. Lisa will provide material packets the first day of class. 

Neva Mathias (Cup’ik) will teach adults how to make small grass dance fans. The class will take place over six sessions: Friday, July 26, Thursday, August 1 and August 2, 11 am-12 pm and 2-3:30 pm each day. Be prepared to attend all six sessions if you sign up. A check made out to Neva Mathias for $25 is due when you sign up to help cover the cost of materials. Neva will provide a material packet the first day of class.

James (G̱ooch Éesh) Hart (Lingit) will teach students teach the basic principles of Northwest Coast formline drawing. This class is compromised of two sessions on Tuesday, August 20 and Wednesday, August 21, 2-3:30 pm both days. The class is open to ages 14+. Youth need to be accompanied by an adult.  

Tina Cupell'aq Harness (Mixed Yup’ik) will teach a beaded earring class on Thursday, September 19, 9 am-12 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm. The class is for ages 12+. Youth should be accompanied by adults. A check made out to Tina Harness for $50 is due when you sign up.

Denali McGlashan (Unangax) will offer a watercolor painting class on Friday, October 11,1:30-3:30 pm. Students are asked to bring their own rock, shell, leaf, flower, or other natural item to paint. The class is for ages 12+ and youth need to be accompanied by an adult. There is no materials fee, but please purchase a watercolor set (for $12.90) in advance from https://www.risdstore.com/koh-i-noor-watercolor-wheel-stack-pack.html?id=55179320.

For more information or questions about any of the above classes, visit the museum or call (907) 747-8981.  

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, visit friendsofsjm.com.