Wed., June 29, 1-4 pm, APK

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun outdoors on the APK plaza!

We’ll travel around Alaska with activities inspired by the Library, Archives, and Museum:

• Recreate a historic photo
• Design your own bookmark
• Make Mug Up buttons
• Learn about Alaska animals with the Department of Fish & Game
• and more!

All ages are welcome and registration is not required. Families are welcome to drop by for all or part of the afternoon.

^{This program is partially funded by the citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through sales tax revenues and is sponsored by the Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives, and Museum.}

July - See calendar for dates and times.
Sheldon Jackson Museum

Eechdaa Dave Ketah is a Tlingit carver, drum maker, and painter. He will be working at the museum most days, July 8–30 and will offer two classes and three artist talks in July. 

Ketah was born and raised in Ketchikan. His ancestors are the Hinyaa from the south of Lingít aani (Tlingit land - Southeast Alaska).

For years, what Ketah knew about his Tlingit identity came from what his grandmother taught him as a boy. Living outside Lingít aani for most of his adult life, he struggled against assimilation into the dominant culture through learning from reading, the internet, and museum visits.

The pandemic opened new opportunities and was the catalyst in Ketah becoming a practicing student of his language and the creative expressions of formline design, carving, and regalia making. He pursues growth as an artist with a passionate approach and prolific productivity. Ketah and his wife have two children who are also just beginning to explore their Tlingit and Inupiat heritage.

Through the Native Artist Residency program, selected artists discuss their culture, artwork, and creative process with visitors as they work in the gallery and give lectures and hands-on workshops.

July 9 & 16, 1-4 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

The Sheldon Jackson Museum and Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum invite the public to participate in a tináa (copper shield) making class. In this class taught by Eechdaa Dave Ketah (Tlingit), students ages 12+ will have an opportunity to make one large tináa pendant, two tináa earrings, and one small tináa pendant (similar to the samples featured at left). The class will be held in person and on Zoom on Saturday, July 9 and Saturday, July 16, 1 –4 pm. Participants should plan to attend both sessions.

The class is free, but there is a $25 materials fee due when you sign up. Students will also need to purchase several inexpensive hand tools before the first class if they don't already have them.

Register by July 7 to attend the class in-person; register by June 27 to attend via Zoom. To sign up and get the tools list, call the Sheldon Jackson Museum at (907) 747-8981. Students are encouraged to register early as the number of in-person and zoom participants will be limited. 

Saturday, July 16, 10-11 am
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

Artist Eechdaa Dave Ketah (Tlingit) will give a talk entitled “Did the Ancestors Call it Art?” The talk will focus on his artwork and cultural background and will be held at the Sheldon Jackson Museum and simultaneously on Zoom. To attend in-person, call the museum at (907) 747-8981 and reserve a spot. Space is limited. 

Ketah shares:

In my journey of discovery, I have heard many say that there is no record or recollection of any made artifacts being called “art” by the ancestors. In fact, the word “art” does not exist in Lingit yoo x’atangi. It’s true, there is much more to the artifacts in collections and in portfolios than mere aesthetics, as these were objects of use and purpose. I will explore this point and discuss ideas on how we may perceive the artifacts of antiquity. And I will propose my own speculation that the ancestors did intend to make what we today call “art."

Zoom details

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85242485504?pwd=K1I4T0dWQVJxa2RxejNDQXEvd0RUdz09

Meeting ID: 852 4248 5504
Passcode: 012441

Saturday, July 23, 3-4 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

Artist Eechdaa Dave Ketah (Tlingit) will give a talk entitled “What Type of Ancestor Will You Be?” 

To attend in-person, call the museum at (907) 747-8981 and reserve a spot. Space is limited. 

Ketah describes the focus of his talk:

I imagine a reflection on my process of discovery that has taken place as I have explored my Tlingit heritage. I have learned of the difficult history, since contact, that led to many in the current generations being separated from practicing or participating in their Tlingit heritage. My story has developed through taking risks and stepping into unknown areas in order to learn who and what I come from. I’ll share my experiences travelling to Klawock, not knowing anyone there, camping in a tent, and eventually learning to carve there. My great-grandfather was the lead carver of the CCC totem park there, but my family’s presence ended there in the mid-twentieth century. It was an unsettling experience at first, feeling like a stranger in a part of Lingit aani where my ancestors were so prominent. This reflection will continue as I share my experience in Sitka, in what will be another first visit to a place where I am a stranger, yet is within the bounds of the land of my people. These reflections will be accompanied by my thoughts on how I became separated from my culture, why it has been difficult to reconnect, and how my process aims to answer a question that gives me purpose: “What type of ancestor will you be?”

Zoom details:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88092990531?pwd=blpRbHU2c21LMW9CVThEb3A4RXJNQT09

Meeting ID: 880 9299 0531
Passcode: 802019

July 27-29, 2-4 pm
Sheldon Jackson Museum and on Zoom

During this class, students will learn to construct at least one crest design. Plan to attend all three 2-hour sessions to learn formline design basics. 

Students should have drawing paper, pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener, colored pens, and tracing paper for the class. Contact the museum for a list of suggested materials.

The Formline Basics class is best for ages 12-adult. Space is limited. Call (907) 747-8981 to sign up for the class and get additional information, including a zoom link if attending online.

Fridays, noon-1 pm, online

Story hours for kids are great, but why should they get all the fun? We’re in the midst of a mystery, The Serpents Trail, by Alaskan author Sue Henry, which should be continuing through at least early July. We think you’ll still enjoy it. Another mystery: what will we read next?!

Register for Virtual Alaska Story Hour for Adults