Gwich’in Athabascan artist to demonstrate for museum visitors

Submitted by Kerynn Fisher
Phone: 907-474-6941
08/04/08

Visitors to the University of Alaska Museum of the North will have the opportunity to see Alaska art in the making this week when Gwich’in Athabascan artist Charlotte Douthit demonstrates beadworking and skin sewing. The presentation is part of the museum’s Gatherings North program, which brings Alaska Native artists into the museum to share their art and traditions with visitors.

Douthit will demonstrate from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4 and Thursday, Aug. 7 and from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5; Wednesday, Aug. 6 and Friday, Aug. 8. The demonstrations are free with museum admission.

Born in Chalkytsik and raised in Fort Yukon, Douthit began beadworking when she was nine years old. A mother of 13, Douthit taught her daughters to continue the tradition of Athabascan beadworking and skin sewing. Noteworthy among them are her daughter Dixie Alexander and granddaughter Rita Pitka, both active beadworkers in the Interior. Douthit currently lives in North Pole.

Inspired by traditional Alaska Native gatherings where people met to exchange ideas, share stories and renew friendships, the museum has offered its Gatherings North demonstrations to visitors since 1990. The demonstrations are funded in part by the City of Fairbanks Hotel-Motel Tax Fund regrant by the Fairbanks Arts Association.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily in summer. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $5 for youth 7-17 and free for children 6 and under. Museum members also receive free admission. Information on the museum’s programs and exhibits is available at 907-474-7505 and online at www.uaf.edu/museum.

CONTACT: University of Alaska Museum of the North communications coordinator Kerynn Fisher at 907-474-6941 or 907-378-2559.