UW News

November 2, 2000

Leading artists to demonstrate skills at Burke Museum’s Native American Art Celebration

Some of the finest living Northwest Coastal Native artists will demonstrate their carving, weaving and musical talents at the third annual Native American Arts Celebration at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture Nov. 18 and 19.

Museum visitors also may try their hands at a variety of crafts activities at the weekend celebration on the University of Washington campus. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The highlights of the weekend celebration will be the participation of two artistic families, brothers Hyacinth Joe David and George David from southwest Vancouver Island and the mother-daughter team of Delores and Holly Churchill of Ketchikan, Alaska.

The David brothers are multi-talented members of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth tribe (previously known in English as Nootka or West Coast) which is related to the Makah tribe on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. The Davids are master carvers of totem poles, masks and other forms of sculptures. The brothers, along with their late father, Hyacinth, created most of the totem poles and other carvings at Tillicum Village on Blake Island in Puget Sound. In addition, they are skilled at drum making and two-dimensional design, as well as traditional tribal songs and music. They will give carving demonstrations throughout the two-day event and present short performances of Nuu-Chah-Nulth drumming and songs at 1 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19.

The Churchills are among the best-known living practitioners and teachers of Northwest Native American basket weaving. They were invited to the celebration this year in honor of the Burke’s first major exhibit of Native American basketry, “Entwined with Life.” They are members of the Haida culture of the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia and parts of Southeast Alaska. Delores will give weaving demonstrations both days and give a lecture and slide show Friday evening, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. Daughter Holly will give a demonstration on Nov.18 and teach a basketry workshop on Nov. 19.

Visitors also will have the opportunity to experience a variety of crafts activities including:



  • Face painting: Mique’l Askren, a Tsimshian tribal member and UW student, will introduce face painting traditions of the Northwest coast and paint children’s faces with their own designs.
  • Decoration: Visitors will be able to make and decorate a model Northwest coast-style drum or soapberry spoon.
  • Basketry: In addition to being able to view the Burke’s “Entwined with Life” show, volunteers from the Northwest Basketry Guild will be on hand to help visitors make a model cedar basket.


Drawing and coloring: There will be a variety of Northwest coast designs for youngsters and adults to complete and color.

All of the events at the Native American Arts Celebration are included in the Burke Museum’s admission of $5.50 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2.50 for children over 5 years of age.


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For more information, contact Erin Younger, the Burke’s director of public programs, at (206) 543-5235 or eyounger@u.washington.edu