FW: Carving a Legacy Talking Points
Hi Docents,
Here is some more information about Carving a Legacy that has been put together by Kristy, our director of communications. There are some talking points, but also a loose schedule for what they’re planning tonight.
Shannon Eakins
School Tour and Docent Coordinator
T: 253.272.4258 x3016
F: 253.627.1898
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-----Original Message-----
From: Kristy Gledhill
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 11:36 AM
To: Shannon Eakins
Subject: Carving a Legacy Talking Points
schedules on page 3
Carving a Legacy Talking Points
Visitor Services
June 16, 2005
Q: What is the exhibition about?
A: The exhibition was created to show how contemporary Coast Salish artists embrace traditional art forms and techniques, while incorporating influences from their lives today. The exhibition focuses on the process of creating this art and features many native artists actually making art in the gallery. There are also many opportunities for visitors to try their own hand at creating northwest native art.
Q: What is the highlight of the exhibition?
A: Two artists in residence – Shaun Peterson of the Puyallup Tribe and Greg Colfax a master carver from the Makah – will be carving a 21-foot welcome figure from a single log in the gallery throughout the exhibition.
Q: Where did the log come from?
A: The log had been harvested from the Quinault reservation on the Olympic Peninsula. We bought the log to bring it here as a way to help preserve the cultural heritage of the Native Americans of our region – the Coast Salish people.
Q: What will you do with the welcome figure when it’s finished?
A: We are in negotiations with the City of Tacoma about having the welcome figure placed in a prominent location in downtown Tacoma. Those negotiations and the choosing of a site are ongoing at this point.
Q: I was expecting to see more art in the gallery. What else is going on with this show?
A: Basketry demonstrations and workshops, drawing and design activities, storytelling, and song demonstrations will take place regularly throughout the exhibition. Remember, this exhibition is about the processes used by contemporary Coast Salish artists. More information on programs related to Carving a Legacy can be found in Museum Notes and on our website: TacomaArtMuseum.org.
Q: How do I find out more about Coast Salish culture and art?
A: There are many books and other resources available in the Art Resource Center.
NOTES:
- The welcome figure is not a totem pole. A totem pole is a way for artists to convey family heritage. A welcome figure is used to welcome people to a certain area.
- Greg and Shaun will be working on the welcome figure throughout the exhibition in the gallery. We will let you know what their schedule will be when we get it so that you can tell people and so that we can have it up on the plasma screen.
- Also, the other artists’ schedules will be posted and given to you as they’re known.
- Please try to be patient with the large percentage of unknowns that this exhibition will bring. We are working with artists, most of whom have other jobs, families, commitments, etc. There are going to be things we don’t know until the very last minute, if then. We have to remember – and ask guests to remember – that the artistic process is hardly linear, and to ask artists to create on demand, to conform to schedules, etc., is not always realistic or possible. Be assured that we’ll be doing all we can to make this as predictable and steady and stable as possible from the floor below you, but based on the challenges we’ve faced in putting the exhibition together, there will likely be more of the same as we go through the exhibition.
- Having said that, I also want to acknowledge that this exhibition is amazing and groundbreaking and important. The emphasis on the process and the commitment to turn the exhibition over to artists-in-residence is commendable. The press recognize this and will be understanding we think. Our job is to try to help the visitors understand that not all exhibitions are as straightforward as Hudson River. There are variables, and human beings, and real life involved with putting on a show like this. That’s part of the point: These contemporary artists have factors influencing their lives that their ancestors did not.
Carving a Legacy Opening (Third Thursday)
June 16, 2005
THE GALLERY
- Baskets
- Blankets
- Prints
- 2 Video monitors with continuous play:
- Video One
- 10 minutes: Anna Jefferson, weaver courtesy Whatcom County Museum
- 20 minutes: Teaching of the Tree People, featuring Bruce Miller, courtesy of Seattle Art Museum and Islandwood Environmental Learning Center
- 4, 10 minute carving segments: Ed Carriere, Al Charles, Jerry Jones, David Neel courtesy Washington State History Museum
- Video Two
- PowerPoint featuring Coast Salish public art projects
· Cedar Table with weaving activity, books
THE PROGRAM
Remarks and program in the gallery:
5:30 pm
- Stephanie Stebich, Director, Tacoma Art Museum
- Bill Evans, Tacoma City Councilman
- Connie McCloud, Cultural Coordinator, Puyallup Tribe
- Artists (?) Shaun Peterson and Greg Colfax
6:00 pm
- Performance by Northern Bad Medicine – Jeremy Miller and 3 other performers in the gallery
Basket Weaving Demonstrations
· Marie Griswald from 4-6 pm
· Elaine Twogood from 5-7 pm
NOTE: The log will be delivered to the museum this morning (Third Thursday) and placed near the loading dock, where it will stay while we have someone block it out (remove bulkier sections of the log until the finer work of carving can be done.) We are unsure of how long this process will take, as the artists will take this time, also to “get to know the log,” learning its twists and turns, strong points and weak points. Once they’re done, we will bring it inside and they’ll begin carving. Visitors are welcome to go watch the work being done on the log while it’s on the loading dock. We will try to have a schedule for that work soon so that you can let visitors know.
posted by eConsultant at 12:09 PM
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