Native Art In Anchorage

'First Alaskans' Art Made By Alaska Natives Is Unique

Trademark Of Interior Alaska

Decorative beads are sewn on leather headbands, mittens, footwear and jackets. Porcupine quills are also used to decorate clothing. Fur often is sewn inside gloves, footwear and parkas. The long hairs of a fur ruff around the hood of a parka protect from bitter winter temperatures. Specially decorated leather clothing is used in traditional dances. (Photo taken in Nenana Village)

If you’re lucky, you’ll see people wearing clothing and jewelry in the tradition of one of the many Native Alaskan cultures: Aleut, Athabascan, Alutiiq, Yup’ik and Cup’ik, Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yup’ik and the Eyak, Tlingit and Haida people. Watch for special events, like the Native Youth Olympics, the Eskimo-Indian Olympics, Native fiddlers and youth dancers. (Downtown Anchorage event)

Native Baskets Use Local Materials

Yup'ik Eskimo make these tiny baskets from coastal sweet grass and trim them with dyed seal gut.
(Photo taken at Alaska Fur Exchange in Anchorage)

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As Alaska's economic hub, Anchorage has many places to buy original Native Alaskan art.

Authentic Heritage and Artistic Tradition Slideshow

Native Alaskan art is easily available in Anchorage. That's because Anchorage is a traffic hub for all of Alaska, including the villages in Northern, Western, and Interior Alaska. Cultural events like the Alaska Federation of Natives and The World Eskimo Indian Olympics are often held in Anchorage. Native Alaskan artists use Anchorage as an art market to reach the entire state, and the rest of the world.

Alaskan Native art is sold in Anchorage at museums, special art fairs, and retail galleries. Look for art from a diverse number of tribes and regions. Alaskan Native artwork is valuable, and made from regional materials with age-old techniques and inspirations. Artwork is often functional, serving as parkas, shoes, and gloves. Still more artwork is fine art, such as fragile baskets, intricate dolls, sculptures, masks, and ceremonial garmets.

Buy from reputable dealers to ensure that you are buying authentic art. If you aren't sure of the origin of a piece, ask for documentation.

Anchorage 101