There were sharp tools, cedar shavings and steaming pans of water.
And there were plenty of stories – including ones about beloved grandmas and favorite pets, and life before such luxuries as indoor plumbing and the Internet. After all, memories and artwork always become one in Andrea Wilbur-Sigo’s home studio near Shelton.
The internationally renowned Squaxin Island carver led a bentwood box workshop over the weekend as part of a series of classes and activities in preparation for this summer’s Tribal Canoe Journey 2012.
The handmade boxes will be given away during a potlatch ceremony hosted by the Squaxin Island Tribe. More than 100 canoes are expected to land at the Port of Olympia beginning July 29. Potlatch protocol is scheduled July 30 to Aug. 5 on the Squaxin Island reservation near Shelton.
“There will be thousands of gifts – we’re just doing part of it,” Wilbur-Sigo said. “We make sure everybody is gifted so they’ll remember the day.”
The workshop was funded by an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Squaxin Island Tribe and The Evergreen State College Longhouse Education and Cultural Center received the $100,000 grant that is aimed to increase the number of Squaxin artists; expand indigenous artist networks; and increase art appreciation, cultural tourism and economic development.
In preparation of Canoe Journey, numerous tribal art workshops are being held to teach traditional forms of weaving, printmaking and other Salish arts.
Wilbur-Sigo comes from seven generations of carvers, and she’s one of only a few women who practice the art.
“I grew up around it, and I don’t really know anything but that,” she said.
The 36-year-old began creating art at age 3. By age 9, she was selling her artwork around the world.
Wilbur-Sigo said she enjoys teaching artwork because it’s a form of language that needs to be practiced and preserved.
“Without the old pieces, we wouldn’t have anything to learn from,” she said. “And without these new pieces, the next generations won’t have anything to learn from.”
During the workshop, participants carved notches, steamed, pegged, sanded and painted designs on the boxes.
“The techniques are simple, but they’re complicated in execution,” said Meleno Lovato, 68, of Yelm, who attended the workshop. “You’ve got to be just right, or it doesn’t work.”
The event drew participants whose ages ranged from 8 to 92. Wilbur-Sigo said she hopes they’ll want to continue the artform because only a handful of people make Coast Salish bentwood boxes by hand.
“I learned a lot,” said Ken Dittbenner, 62, of Roy. “I always wondered how they put them together. It was a lot of fun, too.”
Lisa Pemberton: 360-754-5433
lpemberton@theolympian.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.