Buying Alaska Native Art: Seven Things Travelers Should Look for When Shopping for Authentic Art and Craft Works

by the Anchorage Museum

Authentic Alaska Native art carries stories, knowledge, and connections to place. When you know what to look for, you can choose pieces that reflect those deeper relationships and help you stay connected to Alaska’s cultures and traditions long after you’ve returned home. The Anchorage Museum Store shares this guidance to help you recognize and support authentic Native-made art and craft works:

Look for mastery of technique. In baskets, for example, look for consistently even stitches and symmetry.

Notice the piece’s “finish”. Carvings, whether ivory, wood, whale bone or soapstone, should have a finish that is appropriate to the piece. Smooth or textured, the finish should enhance the look of the piece.

Look for a well-executed design. An item carefully made enhances its design. Stitching should be neat on beadwork and skin-sewing, such as dolls.

Materials should be legal. Some Alaska Native-made artworks and crafts incorporate natural materials such as ivory, bone, or feathers. These materials may be subject to legal or customs restrictions and may require permits for transport or export.

Confirm if the maker is Alaska Native. The shop or gallery where you purchase a piece should be able to tell you the artist’s name, cultural background, home village or region of origin, and the materials used in the piece. Having documentation of the piece also enhances its value over time.

Notice tradition or innovation. Some pieces, like carvings of mythical animals or figures hunting, fishing, or dancing, reflect the tradition of an artist’s culture and stand as representatives of a particular heritage. Others, like whalebone or ivory sculptures, showcase innovation by incorporating contemporary sculptural shapes into a traditional art medium.

While the above are good points to keep in mind, listen to your own feelings about a piece of art. Pay attention to what you like. Give yourself credit for knowing what’s “good.” If it looks good to you, it probably is.

The Anchorage Museum Store features distinctive Alaska Native art and crafts, as well as jewelry, books, and other items inspired by works of art in the museum’s collection. Shop online at www.anchoragemuseum.org.