Exhibits & Events at Sheldon Jackson Museum

The Sheldon Jackson Museum and the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum invite the public to sign up for a variety of free hands-on art classes with Alaska Native artists-in-residence between June and September. The classes will be at the Sheldon Jackson Museum, with some offered simultaneously on Zoom. Some classes have a materials fee, payable to the instructor at the time of sign-up. And some classes require students to purchase materials online or locally ahead of the class. To sign up for a class, call the museum at 907-747-8981 or stop by.

Relief printing class with Liz Morrow (Unangax̂)

Wednesday, June 25, 10 am-12 pm and 1-3 pm with Liz Morrow
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

Students need to order some materials online in advance. For a list of supplies, call (907) 747-8981. This class is for ages 12+.

Maskette earring making class with Shirley Hootch (Yup’ik)

Two Fridays: July 18 & 25, 1-4 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum

This class is open to all ages.

Ravenstail weaving keychain class with Sydney Akagi (Tlingit, Kiks.ádi)

Friday, August 15, 11 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum  

This class is open to ages 7+.

Painting still life class with Danielle Larsen (Koyukon Athabascan, Unangax̂, & Inupiaq)

Thursday, September 11, 12:30-3:30 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

This class is open to ages 10+. Students will need to buy some materials in advance of the class. For a list of supplies, call (907) 747-8981.

Shirley (Kiparalria) Hootch is a Yup’ik jeweler from Emmonak, a village in Western Alaska. While growing up, Hootch, who comes from a long lineage of artists, learned much from her grandfather, a mask carver. She specializes in handmade earrings made of fossil and walrus ivory and also works with baleen and surfboard resin. She divides her time between Hilo, Hawaii and Wasilla and sources her ivory and baleen materials through her family in Alaska.

Hootch began making jewelry 7 1/2 years ago and frequently collaborates with other artists. The first earrings she ever created, she said, remain one of her most popular sellers. They resemble traditional Yup’ik masks. Hootch customizes each pair of mask earrings with different colors and materials.

“I decided I wanted to make mask earrings just like my grandfather made masks,” Hootch said. “So I made a mask earring and loved it. And from there it just took off.”

Hootch participates in craft fairs throughout the year but makes special designs for the holiday season. She never makes more than five pairs of the same earrings, so each pair is truly unique.

“By supporting artists and jewelers and carvers, you get a one of a kind treasure,” she said.

Two Fridays, July 18 & 25, 1-4 pm 
Sheldon Jackson Museum only

Limited to 6 students, all ages.

Call the museum at 907-747-8981 or stop by to sign up.

Each student needs to purchase and bring the following:

1. Set of acrylic paints
2. Small brush pack

Shirley Hootch is a Yup’ik jewelry maker. She is the SJM Native Artist-in-Residence July 15–August 1, 2025.

Friday, August 1 at 2 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

Hootch will give a talk entitled "How I Started." She shares:

I was raised in a small remote Alaskan village where wood is used for many things: tools, heat, housing, etc. My grandfather built wooden boats and decorative masks throughout my childhood. I ended up in Hawaii because my daughter moved here to attend a Hawaiian school. It started with a gift. My mom loved it so i started my jewelry business here. The island makes me feel closer to home.

Zoom Details  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81504063597?pwd=hGAzyK8SPrTPdQioNx0doyHHuQYLqd.1

Meeting ID: 815 0406 3597
Passcode: Shirley