‘First Snow’ opens Friday at Arctic Raven Gallery

As early as September, the first snow falls on the Inupiat village of Shishmaref — on a disappearing sand spit on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska — and on desolate St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. Lee Brooks of Arctic Raven Gallery plans his travel to that region after the first snow, a time when artists start carving, to search for the Northwest Native art treasures featured in the annual show, aptly titled “First Snow.”

November 26, 2008 2:31 pm
John Boy Weyiouanna’s ‘Inupiat Man’ is carved of fossilized whalebone
John Boy Weyiouanna’s ‘Inupiat Man’ is carved of fossilized whalebone

As early as September, the first snow falls on the Inupiat village of Shishmaref — on a disappearing sand spit on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska — and on desolate St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea.

Lee Brooks of Arctic Raven Gallery plans his travel to that region after the first snow, a time when artists start carving, to search for the Northwest Native art treasures featured in the annual show, aptly titled “First Snow.”

“First Snow” opens Friday, 10 a.m. at the gallery, 130 First St., Friday Harbor. It will stay open late, 5:30-7:30 p.m., for a hot cider reception.

Arctic Raven Gallery is considered the foremost Northwest Coast Native art gallery between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Prominent artists represented at the gallery include Richard Hunt, Kwagiutl; Susan Point, Musqueam, who carved the Portals of Welcome house posts at Jack Fairweather Park overlooking Friday Harbor Marina; and April White, Haida.

Arctic Raven’s “First Snow” will feature a captivating collection of intricately-carved ivory dog sleds, birds and bears; fossilized whalebone and ivory dancers, Inuit stone sculpture and silver jewelry.

Although you may preview much of the show online at www.arcticravengallery.com, many other works will be featured exclusively at the gallery.

“This year we are introducing the masks of Kwagiulth master carver Simon Dick, in addition to Inupiaq, Yup’ik and Inuit works from Native Peoples of the far North,” Brooks said.

“New works by gallery favorites Susan Point and Ron Aleck, both Coast Salish, will also be added into the mix.”

Brooks added, “We wish to extend a special invitation to islanders and their Thanksgiving guests to drop by for some hot cider. We will be open all weekend.”

Current shows

— Gallery San Juan & Framing’s annual Holiday Show opens Saturday. Featuring new artists and new works. Enter to win BJ Dollahite painting.

— Waterworks Gallery’s annual Holiday Show opens Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring new works by Art Hansen, Jim Meyer, Sue Roberts, Richard See, Marilyn Stiles, Jill Trear, and other artists.

— “Etherea, Lyrical Black & White Photography from the Islands,” now through Dec. 20, Island Museum of Art. Featuring the photography of Joan Benney, Danielle Dean-Palmer and Grace Seltser-Kelley.