News Release
Alaska Native Arts Fellows Chosen Will Join Artrain USA’s First Alaska State Tour
Ann Arbor, MI – August 31, 2006 - Artrain USA, America’s Hometown Art Museum, is pleased to announce that renowned Alaska Native artists Jack Abraham (Yu’pik, Aluet and Russian) and Anna Brown Ehlers (Tlingit Northern Chilkat) have been selected to serve as Artist Fellows onboard Artrain USA for its first ever tour in Alaska. They will be onboard as Artrain USA, America’s Hometown Art Museum, conducts its first ever tour to Alaska in September and October where it will reach five Alaska communities: Seward (Sept. 20-24), Palmer (Sept. 27 – Oct. 1), Fairbanks (Oct. 4 – 8), Nenana (Oct. 9 – 11) & Anchorage (Oct. 16 – 21).
Abraham and Ehlers will travel with Artrain USA throughout the state tour as it presents Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture, a contemporary Native American art exhibition. Abraham and Ehlers will welcome Artrain USA visitors in the Artists’ Studio and present, demonstrate and discuss their work while drawing parallels between the Native Views exhibition and their own work and culture.
“It is important for Alaska Native artists to be included in the Alaska tour of Native Views, an exhibition that focuses on contemporary Native art,” said Debra Polich, Artrain USA president/CEO, “We are so proud to have these fabulously talented artists, Jack Abraham and Anna Brown Ehlers join the Alaska State Tour so that our visitors can witness the talents and vibrancy of today’s Alaska Native artists.”
Jack Abraham (Yu’pik, Aluet and Russian) is a known for his sculptures and masks that draw on his rich culture and depict people, portraits and characters. Abraham, a self-taught artist, was inspired by his study of the detailed information of Yup’ik artifacts featured in the book “The Eskimo about Bering Straits” by Edward William Nelson. Abraham’s work is widely acclaimed and is featured in the collections of the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, the Doyon Corporation, the Yugtarvik Museum-Bethel and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
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Anna Brown Ehlers (Tlingit Northern Chilkat) is an accomplished Chilkat weaver and has received several awards for her work including a major Alaska state grant and two prestigious First People's Fund fellowships. Ehlers, who studied with the late Jennie Thlanaut (Shax'saani Kéek'), began weaving in 1982. Ehlers work is featured in natural history and art museums and private collections around the world.
Abraham and Ehlers were selected through a juried process where they were evaluated on artistic talent and their enthusiasm to interact and share their creativity with others. The jury included Steven Alvarez, Cultural Education Director of the Alaska Native Heritage Center; Carrie Brown, Executive Director, Alaska Native Arts Foundation; Jean Carlo, Native Arts Liaison, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Pat Wolf, Director, Anchorage Museum of History & Art; and representing Artrain USA, Debra Polich, President/CEO and Nathan Zamarron, Tour Manager.
Artrain USA and the Native Views exhibition are honored as National Endowment for the Arts 2006 American Masterpieces grant recipients. A portion of the NEA grant supports Artrain USA’s Alaska tour. The Alaska Railroad and the Alaska Railbelt Marine are Transportation Sponsors for the tour and the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau is the Alaska State Education Sponsor.
Artrain USA, a nonprofit organization, is an art museum housed in vintage rail cars that travels via the nation’s railroads. More than 3.2 million people have visited Artrain USA during 800 community visits since its founding in 1971. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary, Artrain USA’s national headquarters are in Ann Arbor, MI.
Native Views is a contemporary Native American art exhibition that explores the influence of popular culture and the many commonalties shared by all Americans. Visitors discover the richness, complexity and breadth of contemporary Native American art while examining varying perspectives on society. Guest curator, Joanna Bigfeather redefines Native art by broadening the limits and confronting the stereotypes that currently define it. Native Views is touring America from April 2004 through 2007 and visiting more than 100 communities.
For more images or information about Artrain USA’s 2006 Alaska Tour or the Fellows, please call 800-ART-1971 or www.ArtrainUSA.org.
