Native Art Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

The Native Art Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is an art school located at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), near Fairbanks, Alaska. The Native Art Center was started in 1966 by Ronald Senungetuk (Iñupiaq). Today, the Native Art Center is directed by Da-ka-xeen Mehner (Tlingit-Nisga'a) and offers BFA and MFA degrees in Native Art.^[1]

History

The Native Art Center offers studio art courses, workshops with Native Alaskan artists and cultural carriers, and artists-in-residence programs. Visiting artists are from Native Alaskan cultures, such as Yupik (including Alutiiq), Iñupiaq, Athabascan, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Aleut artists from throughout Alaska.^[1]

First founded in 1965, the Native Art Center brings together artists from rural communities to study indigenous forms of art at the University of Alaska (now known as UAF).^[1] Over the past 40 years, the center has evolved to become an academic-based program including courses in studio art and Native art history and special workshops and symposia on topics including mask making, bentwood traditions, basketry, sculpture and carving. Dedicated to the creative spirit and an objective to provide educational opportunities for young Native artists.

Directors

Ronald Senungetuk founded the Native Arts Center in 1965 and served as its director until his retirement in 1986. He was also head of the UAF Art Department from 1977 until retiring. He has been a teacher, mentor, and supporter of talented Alaska Native students who might not have otherwise had the aspiration or opportunity to attend college. During his UAF tenure, he advocated to keep the center active for both established and emerging Native artists who did not necessarily meet the typical university enrollment requirements.

In 1987 artist, educator, and interim director of the Native Art Center Glen Simpson made the Native Arts Center part of the academic system in the Art Department, making it possible for students to receive a BFA in Native Arts. This was a time of flux for the Native Art Center with a number of interim directors, one being James Schoppert, a Tlingit artist. During his life, Schoppert became one of the most prodigious and influential Alaska Native artists of the twentieth century. His work includes carving, painting, poetry and essays. He has been described as an innovator, that made traditional and contemporary Alaska Native works often pushing the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" Northwest Coast art. Throughout his career he was a spokesman for Alaska Native artists and artists in general.

Harry Calkins was an interim instructor from until 1991.

In 1992 Alvin Amason, a Sugpiaq Alaskan painter and sculptor, took over as director of the Native Art Center until his retirement in 2006. It was under Amason's directorship in 2003 the Native Art Center started offering Master of Fine Arts degrees in Native Arts, the only institution in the Alaska to do so.

Da-ka-xeen Mehner, a Tlingit-Nisa'a artist, has been the director of the Native Art Center since 2009.

Notes

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Native Art Center: Program." University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Retrieved 27 Jan 2013.

References

External links

The University of Alaska System

Statewide	President: Patrick K. Gamble Media: University of Alaska Press The Limestone Press

Anchorage	Chancellor: Tom Case Academics: College of Education Consortium Library Merrill Field Athletics: Alaska Airlines Center Great Alaska Shootout Buckner Fieldhouse Sullivan Arena Seawolves men's ice hockey Sullivan Arena Media: Alaska Quarterly Review KRUA Northern Light Outlying area services: Kenai Peninsula College Kachemak Bay Campus Kodiak College Mat–Su College Research: NBMDC

Fairbanks	Chancellor: Brian D. Rogers Academics: CTC Native Art Center Rasmuson Library Alaska Film Archives SFOS Athletics: Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey Carlson Center Media: AlaskaOne/KUAC KSUA Permafrost Sun Star Outlying area services: Bristol Bay Campus Center for Distance Education Research: AFES Botanical garden Alaska Native Language Archive/Center ARSC CIFAR/IARC Geophysical Institute Alaska Volcano Observatory Poker Flat Research Range SuperDARN Institute of Arctic Biology Museum of the North Smith Lake

Southeast	Chancellor: John Pugh Facilities: Egan Library Ketchikan Campus Sitka Campus

Community colleges	Prince William Sound Community College

Coordinates: 64°51′27″N 147°49′16″W / 64.85750°N 147.82111°W / 64.85750; -147.82111