We can’t stop thinking about our 2017 Tináa Art Auction, which raised nearly $200,000 for the institute’s new endowment to perpetuate programming for future generations and the public. The Alaska Native art that was donated by artists and collectors was flat-out stunning and the Native Fashion Show wowed us as well. We are incredibly grateful to the people and sponsors who made this program possible. The following shows highlights from the event. (Watch the Video) (Photos by Sydney Akagi, except where noted)
Native Fashion Show
Left to right: A sea otter vest by Louise Kadinger modeled by Kylynn Renée Machir; a sea otter wrap by Marcus Gho modeled by Allyson Olds; two beaded bridal gowns by Sandra Marion modeled by Yolanda Fulmer and Melissa Patterson.
Left to right: An ensemble by Barbara Fujimoto modeled by Angel Fujimoto; Rochelle Smallwood models her own creation; designer Barbara Fujimoto walks the runway with models.
Left to right: Designer Crystal Worl walks the runway with her collection; a dress by Dorothy Grant modeled by Nancy Evelyn Barnes; an ensemble by Crystal Worl modeled by Mandy Toong.
Left to right: A fringed ensemble by Dorothy Grant modeled by Janine Gibbons; an ensemble by Dorothy Grant modeled by Melissa Kookesh; an ensemble by Dorothy Grant modeled by Elizabeth Seliotes.
Designer Dorothy Grant walks the runway with model Brandon Johnson.
Left to right: An ensemble by Maria Shaa Tlaa WIlliams modeled by Donnie Gott; an ensemble by Maria Shaa Tlaa WIlliams modeled by Anna Chiburis; a dress by Violet Dawn Ahmie modeled by Annie Bartholomew.
Left to right: A dress by Violet Dawn Ahmie modeled by Marleina Dundas; a dress by Patricia Michaels modeled by Pamela Dalton-Stearns; a dress by Patricia Michaels modeled by Stephanie Masterman.
Left to right: A dress by Pamela Baker modeled by Rosemary Kiessling; a dress by Pamela Baker modeled by Mandy Toong; a dress by Pamela Baker modeled by Summer Koester.
Left to right: A dress by Pamela Baker modeled by Erika Bergren; designer Pamela Baker walks the runway with model Maka Monture.
Left to right: Alyssa London’s father, Tate London, walks the runway after his daughter, special guest Alyssa London, Miss Alaska USA 2017. Alyssa is wearing a gown designed by Joey Galon Atelier with a Northwest Coast design by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary.
Fashion show director Amber-Dawn Bear Robe
Brendan Sullivan of Salon Cedar styles a model’s hair before the show.
Model Kylie Kulbeth prepares for the runway.
Auction
Attendees look at art by Ray Watkins, David A. Boxley, Delores Churchill and others during the silent auction.
Attendees check out a patinated copper tináa by Benjamin Schleifman.
Tlingit artist Donald Heendei Gregory shares a laugh with attendees during the silent auction.
SHI President Rosita Worl addresses attendees.
The first item in the live auction was a serigraph print by master Haida artist Robert Davidson, “Canoe Breaker, Southeast Wind’s Brother.”
The second item was a diptych by Inupiaq/Athabascan artist Sonya Kelliher Combs titled “Small Red Edge” and “Small Red Corner.”
The third item was a basket by master Haida weaver Delores Churchill, “Half Head of Salmon Berry Basket,” made of red cedar, grass, and alder-dyed cedar bark. Churchill was present at the auction and described the basket to attendees during bidding.
The fourth item was a bentwood-style bucket with ladle by Tsimshian master artist David A. Boxley. Boxley (second from right) addressed attendees during the live auction in both English and Sm’algyax, the language of the Tsimshian people.
The fourth item was a bentwood-style bucket with ladle by Tsimshian master artist David A. Boxley. Boxley addressed attendees during the live auction in both English and Sm’algyax, the language of the Tsimshian people.
The fifth live auction item was a collaboration between Tlingit artist Louise Kadinger and Tlingit/Athabascan artist Crystal Worl. Here Worl describes the blanket, which features sheared sea otter fur and seal fur on the front and custom velvet fabric on the back.
The fifth live auction item was a collaboration between Tlingit artist Louise Kadinger and Tlingit/Athabascan artist Crystal Worl. Here Worl describes the blanket, which features sheared sea otter fur and seal fur on the front and custom velvet fabric on the back.
The sixth item was an Eagle headdress by Duane Pasco, made of alder, paint, abalone, deer hide, hair and cedar rope.
The seventh item was a copper Raven pendant by Tlingit/Unangan artist Jerrod Galanin, which also featured antique blue trade beads.
Bidding was active on all of the live auction items.
The eighth item was a Thunderbird mask by Ray Watkins made of carved and painted alder and ermine fur. Watkins described the piece prior to the opening of bidding.
The ninth item was a basket by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary, made of blown and etched glass. Singletary, shown at the podium, talked about his work prior to the opening of bidding.
Basket by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary, made of blown and etched glass.
The tenth item was a Baby Eagle pendant by master Tlingit artist Nathan Jackson, made of silver. Jackson addressed attendees before the opening of bidding on his piece. (Photo by Nobu Koch)
The eleventh and final item was a set of four pieces by Musqueam Coast Salish artist Susan Point. The pieces – Song of the Night, Reflection, Sleepless Shadow, Leaping Forward – are made of kiln-formed glass that was fused and sandblasted.
A huge thanks to host Albert Kookesh (above) and auctioneer Jeff Boehm for their contributions to the auction.
