In celebration of its landmark exhibit of contemporary coastal art, The Burke Museum is offering a day filled with opportunities for people of all ages to immerse themselves in the vitality of Northwest Native art.

Artists from the Suquamish, Haida, Tsimshian, Tlingit, Nisga'a, Lummi, Puyallup and other tribes from the northwest coast of Canada and the United States will share their stories, methods, and sources of inspiration. Demonstrations of traditional wood carving, basket weaving, and drum making; as well as panel discussions are scheduled from 11 am till 4 pm. Most of the participants are artists whose work is featured in the exhibit, making this a unique opportunity to experience the art, meet the artists, and learn how the spirit of their ancestors inspires their lives today.

For more information see the: In the Spirit of the Ancestors Web Site

Walks and Talks
All talks take place in the Burke Room

10:30 am – Gallery Tour with Robin Wright, Curator of Native American Art
(Gather at the museum store)

11 am – Artist Panel: “Wood and Stone and Paint on the Northwest Coast”
George David, Shaun Peterson, Manual Salazar, Jay Simeon, and Beau Dick talk about how the traditions of their ancestors guide their work

12 pm – Kwakwaka’wakw carver and storyteller Beau Dick
Sharing some of the legends that inspire his art

1 pm – Lecture: “Bringing Our History into Focus: Redeveloping the Work of B.A. Haldane, 19th century Tsimshian Photographer”
by University of British Columbia doctoral student Mique’l Askren (Tsimshian)

2 pm – Artist Panel: “Bark, Roots, and Grass—The Weaver’s Art”
Karen Reed, Ed Carriere, Pat Courtney Gold, Shauna Colbert, and Susan Pavel share their work, from collecting and preparing materials to creating art

3:30 pm – Gallery Tour with Robin Wright, Curator of Native American Art
(Gather at the museum store)

Demonstrations
All demonstrations take place in the lobby of the Burke Museum

11 am – 4 pm Wood carving with Michael Dangeli (Nisga.a)

11 am – 2 pm Basket weaving with Ed Carriere (Suquamish)

12 – 4 pm Drum making with George David (Nuu-chah-nulth)

1 – 2 pm Basketry with Shauna Colbert (Haida)

2 – 4 pm Chilkat-style weaving with Brenda Joy Isaac, et. al. (Kwakwaka’wakw)

3 – 4 pm Basket weaving with Karen Reed (Puyallup)

Teachers!  Attend opening day panel discussions and forums with artists from the exhibit, and receive clock hours!  Mention you are a teacher at the admission desk and receive discounted admission and clock hour credit forms.  3 clock hours available.

*Special teacher admission is $5! No registration needed.

In the Spirit of the Ancestors: Contemporary Northwest Coast Native Art was developed by the Burke Museum and has been generously sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Quest for Truth Foundation, and the Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund. Additional support has been provided by: 4Culture; Behnke Foundation; Bill Holm Center for the Study of Northwest Coast Art; Jeffris Wood Foundation; Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, City of Seattle; OneFamily Foundation; John and Joyce Price; The Suquamish Tribe; Wells Fargo; and donors to the Burke Museum's Annual Fund.