Daily Sitka Sentinel

June 15, 2020, Community Happenings

SJ Museum Receives Grant

For Native Artist Programs

The Sheldon Jackson Museum has announced that the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum has been awarded a grant in the amount of $24,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The award was issued through the Art Works II Grant in the category of Folk & Traditional Arts.

Applications for the grants were submitted last summer and reflected the wide range of performances, exhibitions, and activities that the agency has traditionally funded. At the end of March, the listed projects were approved, followed by two months of technical assistance in which NEA agency staff worked one-on-one with hundreds of organizations to adjust their projects to meet the new reality created by the pandemic, a press release from the museum said. Changes include postponing activities until the museum reopens and taking some activities virtual.

In the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum-sponsored Native Artist Residency Program, artists from around the state fill residencies at the museum, during which time they study the collections and share their work with the public through artist lectures, hands-on workshops, and demonstrations.

This year, from July until mid-October, the museum will host a series of four artists-in-residence. Artists include Tsimshian carver and silver engraver Abel Ryan (July 1-17), Alutiiq/Sugpiaq gut and fish skin sewer, grass basket weaver, and beader June Pardue (July 24-Aug. 8), Alutiiq kayak maker, mask and paddle carver, and traditional tool maker Alfred Naumoff (Sept. 14-Oct. 1), and Tlingit regalia maker Pam Johnson (Oct. 1-18).

This year’s residency program will include a virtual public talk by Abel Ryan titled “Stopping and Restarting, What My Journey Through the Covid 19 Shutdown” on 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2; a public, virtual painting class on formline design with Ryan on 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11; a one-hour virtual Residency Recap Talk by Ryan 3 p.m.  Thursday, July 16; a two-part virtual earring-making class using porcupine quills and deer/moose hide or fish skin with June Pardue 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, and 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28; a virtual public talk on salmon leather by June Pardue at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1; a public one-hour virtual Residency Recap Talk by June Pardue 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8; an intensive model kayak building workshop with Alfred Naumoff (dates, time to be set); a public talk on ‘‘Cultural Identity Through Fabric by Pam Johnson’’ (date, time and format to be set); and a child’s vest regalia making workshop with Pam Johnson (date, time and format to be set).

The classes are free but, in some instances, require advanced ordering of materials online in advance. Some classes have age restrictions. To obtain more details, and materials lists, call  747-8981. To view events related to the Native Artist Residency Program, visit the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum Facebook page or the Alaska State Museum website at https://museums.alaska.gov/sheldon_jackson/sjhome.html.

The Native Artist Residency Program is made possible through the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, Alaska Airlines, the Friends of the Sheldon Jackson Museum, and private donations.

4th of July

Info Given

Sitka Chamber is encouraging the community to ‘‘Share Your Spark’’ over the July 4 holiday.

Businesses and residents can decorate their storefronts and homes in red, white and blue to commemorate Independence Day. Community groups may choose to Share Your Spark by cleaning-up a stretch of road or local beach, and individuals or families could plant a tree or help their neighbors, the Chamber said. 

For information about categories for prizes and where to submit an entry,  go to Facebook.com/SitkaChamber.

Events Called for

July 4 Calendar

Businesses, organizations and groups planning to host events or specials June 27-July 5 for Independence Day can have their events listed in this year’s schedule. 

A brief description of the event, including start time, location and contact information, should be e-mailed to the Chamber of Commerce at info@sitkachamber.com by Monday, June 22.

STA Tribal

Council Meets

Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will meet 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 17.

Those who wish to attend the meeting telephonically, can contact Anne Davis at 747-3207. Anyone wishing to submit a written comment can do so by emailing comments to Anne Davis at anne.davis@sitkatribe-nsn.gov. All written comments must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 16.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitka Tribe of Alaska offices and buildings remain closed. STA is following the state guidelines closely and taking precautions to protect and slow the spread of the virus, STA said in a press release.

Water Shut-Off

Notice Given

The city announced a temporary water shut-off from 1500 Sawmill Creek Road to Gary Paxton Industrial Park through approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday, June 16. Work will be performed by a private contractor making emergency repairs to a water service line.

The city said it will make every effort to minimize the time the water is turned off.

Once water is restored residents may experience air bubbles or cloudy water. If so, run cold water taps until it clears.

‘‘We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,’’ the city said.

Those with questions can contact Public Works at 747-1804.

Community 

Center Discussed

All are invited to a zoom meeting 6:30 p.m. June 16 discuss thoughts, ideas and suggestions as to the purchase of the First Presbyterian Church with the CBS Covid funds for a community center which would include food and shelter.

Email karenjeanlucas@yahoo.com for the link to the meeting. For further information, call 747-7803.