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Photo Essay

Master Carver Nathan Jackson Teaches Northwest Coast Carving Class
Photos by Rebecca Brown
Courtesy Ketchikan Museums

 

Published:
January 19, 2003
Sunday - 10:30 pm

 

Dr. Bill Pfeifer and Master Carver Nathan Jackson

Student Bill Pfeifer steadies his bowl as Master Carver Nathan Jackson cuts grooves into the surface with a chainsaw to assist with the carving process. "Northwest Coast Carving II & III: Grease Bowls" was offered at the Totem Heritage Center January 6 - 18, 2003. Jackson taught students how to create seal grease bowls.

About Master Carver Nathan Jackson:

Nathan Jackson, Master Carver and a Chilkoot Tlingit, has been working in Alaska Native arts since 1959. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he specialized in fabric design, silkscreen, and graphics. Since 1967, he has been a freelance artist doing traditional style woodcarving, jewelry, and design. Jackson has completed numerous totem poles, screens, panels, and restoration projects. He has instructed woodcarving and design at several institutions, including the Alaska State Museum, Sheldon Jackson College, the Totem Heritage Center, and the University of Alaska.

Jackson's artwork is on display in every major museum - as well as many public and private buildings - in the state of Alaska. His work can also be found in museums and private collections throughout North America and in museums throughout Europe and Japan. Jackson was heavily involved in the Totem Park and tribal house in Saxman. (Background information about Nathan Jackson courtesy the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center - Ketchikan, Alaska.)

 

Dr. Bill Pfeifer of Ketchikan

Bill Pfeifer uses an adze to hollow out his bowl in Nathan Jackson's class, Northwest Coast Carving II & III: Grease Bowls. For more information about classes at the Totem Heritage Center, call 225-5900.

 

Pete Richards

Pete Richards works on his seal grease bowl in Nathan Jackson's 45-hour class, "Northwest Coast Carving II & III: Grease Bowls."

 

Wayne St. John

Wayne St. John works on his grease dish in Nathan Jackson's class.

 

Mike Webber of Cordova, AK

Mike Webber leans into his cut as he works on his grease bowl in Nathan Jackson's class at the Totem Heritage Center. The 45-hour class, which ran through January 18, taught intermediate and advanced carving students how to create a grease bowl. Webber came to Ketchikan from Cordova for this two-week class.

 

Mike Webber of Cordova, AK

Mike Webber works on his piece in 'Northwest Coast Carving II & III: Grease Bowls,' taught by Nathan Jackson at the Totem Heritage Center. Traditionally, these dishes held seal oil or hooligan grease, which was used as a condiment for dried roots or fish.

 

 

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