Chilkat weaving classes, apprenticeships & retreats
I Darlene See, Hoonah, Alaska, weaves on her Chilkat robe amongst 4 other robes at the Chilkat Weaving Retreat hosted by the Silver Cloud Art Center in collaboration with Artstream Cultural Resources, Haines, Alaska - April 2009 - Photo by Clarissa Rizal |
 Debra Michel, from Atlin, B.C. nearly completes her first Chilkat weaving during the 2-week retreat at Silver Cloud - April 2009 - photo by Clarissa Rizal |
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Clarissa received the honor to teach Chilkat weaving to Jennie Thlunaut's granddaughters in 1989 and has since continued to teach weaving to aspiring Native women with workshops, apprenticeships and retreats in Southeast Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia and Colorado.
The timeframe of Clarissa's Chilkat weaving classes, apprenticeships and retreats vary. Classes are generally 2 to 3 weeks; apprenticeships are at least 1 to 3 months; retreats are 1 to 4 weeks. Contact Clarissa if you are interested in sponsoring a class for a group of weavers or for yourself.
Check out a review of the Chilkat Weaving Retreat 2009 at the Silver Cloud Art Center at Ft. Seward in Haines, Alaska
In December 2005, Clarissa self-published "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat Weavers' Handbook. This practical handbook provides Chilkat weavers of all experience levels pertinent information gained from Clarissa’s apprenticeship in 1986 with the last traditional Chilkat weaver, Jennie Thlunaut; combined with Clarissa’s experiences as a weaver and a teacher of this traditional art form, with additional information from Jennie’s daughter, the late Agnes Bellinger. Most of the information in this handbook can also be applied to Ravenstail weaving. With black & white, color photos and drawings, some of the information includes: Jennie’s astounding fingering technique (for speed, accuracy and tension), her philosophies, traditions, values and tricks-of-the-trade, Clarissa’s story of her apprenticeship with Jennie, preparation of materials and supplies, natural & commercial dyeing, weft color samples, list of suppliers, designs and descriptions; and, keeping with traditions, some of the information is shared with a touch of storytelling. This handbook is intended for use by either an experienced weaver who is seeking some additional information in Chilkat weaving, or utilized as a supplemental guide with a weaving instructor. The handbook is available through classes with Clarissa, and also available by way of direct contact with Clarissa in artist markets, exhibits and at Celebration.
Contact Clarissa if you are interested in hosting a Chilkat Weaving Class for Northwest Coast Native women or you are interested in learning this fine art.
Past Chilkat Weaving Classes and Apprenticeships
2010 Chilkat Weaving Classes, SEARHC, Juneau, AK
2009 Chilkat Weaving Demo & Presentation, Clan Conference, Centennial Hall, Juneau, AK
2009 Chilkat Weaving Retreat, Silver Cloud Art Center, Haines, AK
2008 Chilkat Weaving Class, Teslin Tlingit Cultural Center, Teslin,
Yukon Territory
2007 Chilkat Weaving Class, Angoon, AK
2006 Bev Morris, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs,
CO
2005 Chloe French, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs,
CO
2005 Julia Sai Carlson, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs,
CO
2004 Vanessa Morgan, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs,CO
2003 Chilkat Weaving Apprencticeships Inter.Class, Juneau, AK
2001 Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships Inter. Class, Juneau, AK
2000 Beginner’s Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
2000 Beginner’s Chilkat Spinning, Juneau, AK
2000 Chilkat Weavers’ Retreat, Albert Bay, B.C., Canada
2000 Chilkat Weavers’ Retreat, Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada
1999 Chilkat Weavers’ Retreat, Sitka Historical Center,
Sitka, AK
1999 4-Corner’s Weavers’ Convention, Pagosa Springs,
CO
1999 Chilkat Weavers’ Retreat, Juneau, AK
1997 Chilkat Weavers’ Apprenticeships, Namgish Tribe, Alert
Bay, B.C.
1996 Chilkat Weavers’ Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
1995 Ann Smith, Donna Cranmer, Suzi Williams, Advanced Chilkat Weaving
Apprentices, Pagosa Sp., CO
1994 Beginner’s Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
1993 Chilkat Weavers’ Retreat, Hoonah, AK
1993 Chilkat Weaving Demo, Artist-On-Board, Alaska Marine Highway
1992 Suzi Williams, Jeanette Tabor, Jean Lampe, Darlene See, Chilkat
Weaving Apprentices, Juneau, AK
1992 Louis Light, Diane Light, Phoebe Warren, Vivian Stevens, Chilkat
Weaving Apprentices, Juneau, AK
1991 Louise Dangeli, Arlene Dangeli, Helen McCormick, Chilkat Weaving
Apprentices, Juneau, AK
1991 Beginner’s Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
1990 Intro to Chilkat Weaving, Sha-Tan Tours, Whitehorse Y.T., Canada,
class held in Klukshu, Y.T.
1989 Jennie Thlunaut’s Granddaughters, Intro to Chilkat Weaving,
Sheldon Jackson Museum, Haines, AK
Do you need a Chilkat design pattern for your next Chilkat robe, apron, leggings, headdress or bag? Clarissa is both a Northwest Coast designer AND a weaver, which puts her in a unique category amongst Northwest Coast Native artists. As a weaver, she understands the intricate, Chilkat design elements that are workable and weavable in the unique Chilkat design style; as a Northwest Coast designer, she understands the formline elements - both are required to create a Chilkat design successfully. Contact Clarissa
Would you like to own a Chilkat robe or weaving? Clarissa accepts commissions and is creative with a payment plan suiting your pocketbook. Do you want the weaving by a certain deadline? Clarissa can work with you on a timeline Contact Clarissa
Check out the latest addition to Clarissa's website: the blog! Read about the latest classes, cultural events, shows, exhibits; life in Alaska (and wherever Clarissa happents to be traveling and living); all posted with photos, videos and/or podcasts.
Check out the frequently updated calendar:
Interested in hosting a Chilkat weaving demonstration and presentation?
Demonstrations & presentations
Read a biography on Jennie Thlunaut, the last, traditional Chilkat Weaver; read about the places she gathered her supplies, lived a subsistence lifestyle, and the Chilkat Valley; read about the origin of Chilkat weaving:
Read about Clarissa's apprenticeship with Jennie Thlunaut:
jennie thlunaut apprenticeship
Read bios of folks who have recently passed having influenced Clarissa in her career as a multi-faceted artist:
Read magazine and newspaper reviews on Clarissa's work
Contact Clarissa for permission to use text or images for educational purposes only.