For the past 12 years, Tlingit artist Israel Shotridge has lived and worked on the Island, quite literally carving out a place for himself as one of the world’s most prolific and sought-after Native artists.
Shotridge, a master carver whose body of work includes totem poles standing throughout Alaska and the United States, also creates a wide range of other Tlingit art forms, including screens, canoes, masks, bentwood boxes, bowls, ceremonial objects, drums, glass and engraved jewelry.
His work is on display throughout the United States, England, Scotland and Germany in private and public collections, including totem parks, museums, airports and Alaskan visitor centers.
But this weekend, Islanders won’t have to travel to see Shotridge’s work. Instead, they can take advantage of an open house that will be held at Shotridge Studios as part of Vashon’s Holiday Art Studio Tour.
The open house will give visitors a chance to see Shotridge’s work up close, and also provide an opportunity to celebrate Native culture and purchase gifts.
“We’ll have as much art as we can muster,” said Sue Shotridge, who is Israel’s wife, an artist, and the manager of Shotridge Studios.
In addition to carved pieces, the open house will showcase a collection of original sterling silver jewelry pieces created collaboratively by Sue and Israel, as well as art cards, prints and ornaments.
Adding to the ambiance will be performances by Gene Tagaban, a noted Tlingit storyteller, performer and musician.
The open studio comes on the heels of a productive time for the Shotridges.
Israel Shotridge was recently commissioned to carve a totem pole to be displayed at the Alaska Native Heritage Center and received a prestigious 2009 Folk Arts Fellowship Award, presented by the Washington State Arts Commission.
He also recently received a grant from Longhouse Education and Cultural Center, which will enable him to transfer 27 years’ worth of photo documentation into a digital format — a step toward his goal of publishing a series of educational books.
Earlier this month, both Shotridges participated in an exclusive art market in New York City, presented by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Israel Shotridge was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska, in the heart of the Tongass National Forest, which was named after his tribal ancestors, the Tongass tribe.
He is one of 14 children born to Esther Shaw, a tribal matriarch he credits as his most significant and beloved teacher.
“My mother shared songs and stories and legends, and that’s where I get my inspiration,” Shotridge said, adding that his mother and grandmother also gave him the tools to cope with both the challenges and successes of his long career.
“Humility is something you’re taught very young, not to get ahead of yourself, not to get a big ego,” he said. “My mother and my grandmother would share that with me through my totem pole exploits — this is not about me.”
Shotridge Studios will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13, at 9804 S.W. 145th Place. Gene Tagaban will perform on Saturday afternoon. The studio is also open by appointment at other times, call 567-5826. For more information; visit www.shotridgestudios.com.
