CURRENT News
GRASS PARKA
The Rasmuson Foundation’s most recent donation to the museum is a Yup'ik Eskimo grass parka, one of only three known in existence. It was woven by Lena Atti, a 90-year-old artist from Kwigillingok. Atti is one of the last people regularly creating grass undergarments, socks and mittens.
The Rasmuson Foundation acquired this grass parka as a gift to commemorate the Anchorage Museum’s expansion project.
There is great respect within the Yup'ik culture for the qualities found in grass, especially its tensile strength and insulating properties. Grass is still gathered by Yup'ik women throughout western Alaska. The Yupiit have used grass to create items such as baskets, dog harnesses, mitten and boot liners, and dance fans.
The grass parka is on display through Oct. 20 in the Mary Louise Rasmuson Atrium.
JEWELRY INNOVATORArline Fisch is next artist-in-residence
This fall the Anchorage Museum will host jewelry innovator Arline Fisch as an artist-in-residence. Having practiced her craft for more than 50 years, Fisch is one of the most respected jewelry makers in the field.
In the 1960s she pioneered the use of textile techniques such as knitting to make metal behave like cloth. Fisch has received numerous honors, including a gold medal from the American Craft Council and multiple Fulbright fellowships. She is professor of art emerita at San Diego State University.
While in Anchorage, Fisch will research Alaska Native art forms and consult with Alaska artists. She will give a lecture at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1 in the museum auditorium.
Fisch’s residency is made possible through artist advocacy organization United States Artists, which offers fellowships funded by a coalition of leading foundations including the Rasmuson Foundation.
