DEMONSTRATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
I Clarissa Rizal demonstrates Chilkat spinning
techniques to children at the Smithsonian's NMAI Museum show
of "Listening to Our Ancestors" Exhibit, November
2006 |
 As part of our Chilkat Weaving Appreciation Presentation, Della Cheney and Percy Kunz demonstrate Cedar bark weaving and Chilkat preparations of bark for spinning at the Clan Conference, Juneau, AK - March 2009 - Photo by Clarissa Rizal |
|
Clarissa has been demonstrating the art of Chilkat and
Ravenstail weaving since 1993. Her demonstrations include the following:
1) Demonstrates weaving techniques and tricks-of-the-trade on any
one or all upright looms: a robe, a dance apron, headdress, dance
leggings, bag, etc. Clarissa demonstrates on whatever project she
would be working at the time. If she has no project on any of the
looms, she will begin one specifically for the demonstration scheduled.
2) Raw Material hands-on display: cedar bark strips, shredded cedar
bark, merino wool, mountain goat wool; dye materials such as wolf
moss, copper (and nope, no urine, we all know what the stuff is!).
3) Demonstrate preparing the materials; splitting the bark, preparing
the wool
4 ) Demonstrate spinning warp yarns on thigh, plying wool and cedar
bark
5 ) Demonstrate spinning weft yarns on the portable wooden “Charkha”
spinning wheel used by Gandhi in the 1930s. Charkha available for
purchase through The
Woolery
6 ) Photo display of how to gather cedar bark
7 ) Clarissa’s portfolio and a copy of her “Chilkat
Weavers’ Handbook” self-published in December 2005
Clarissa’s presentations may include the above, and
may also include:
1) Power Point Presentation of Northwest Coast Native dance regalia
from research through the Regalia Project (see website: http://www.artstream.net)
and her research during her “Visiting Artist” fellowship
with the National Museum of the American Indian (see Clarissa’s
webpage article “NMAI Visiting
Artist). The PPP would highlight Chilkat robes in Museum collections
in North America. Several of the Chilkat robes were identified by
Clarissa as having been woven by her teacher, Jennie Thlunaut. Clarissa
identified 19 robes and 2 small weavings woven by Jennie collected
in 4 museums on the East Coast. Jennie had woven 50 robes in her
lifetime. She was 96 when she passed away in 1986.
2) Presentation may include Clarissa’s perspectives past and
present, on the role of Museums, particularly in regards to the
Native people of the Northwest Coast. These perspectives are based
on Clarissa's research at museum visits sponsored by the National
Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) Visiting Artist Fellowship
she received in November 2006.
Past Demonstrations and Presentations have included:
2011 Artist Lecture, "Early Scholars" class, Juneau-Douglas High School, Juneau, AK
2011 Chilkat Weaving demonstration & presentation, University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, AK
2011 Chilkat Weaving demonstration & presentation, Bill Reid Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
2009 Chilkat Weaving demonstration & presentation, Clan Conference, Juneau, AK
2008 Chilkat Weaving demonstration, Smithsonian NMAI, New
York City, NY
2008 Regalia-making presentation w/Donna Beaver, SHI's Celebration '08, Juneau, AK
2007 Cultural Interpreter, Holland American Line, Glacier Bay N.P.,
Gustavus, AK
2007 Regalia-making presentation w/Donna Beaver, Clan Conference, Sitka, AK
2006 “Listening to Our Ancestors” Exhibit, Smithsonian
NMAI, Washington, D.C.
2005 Fusing Traditions” Artists Panel, Univ. of Washington
Burke Museum,“Seattle, WA
2005 Teach Math via Weaving, A laska Rural Systemic Initiative,
Univ. of Alaska, Juneau
2004 & 05 Chilkat Weaving Cross-Cultrual Exchange w/Navajo weavers, Toadlena Trading Post, Shiprock, NM
2004 “Folklife Festival” & Grand Opening Festivities
of NMAI, Smithsonian, Wash., D.C.
2003 “Art Walk” Fundraiser for Institute of American
Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM
2002 “Tapestry” Show, Native & Western Science Convention,
Dine’ College, Tsaile, AZ
2000, ’99, ’93, ’91 U.S. Forest Service, Juneau,
Alaska
1996 “Made in America” Exhibit, Nelson Atkins Museum,
St. Louis, MO.
1993 “Artist on Board”, Alaska Marine Highway, Juneau,
AK
"Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" - Chilkat Weavers' Handbook by Clarissa Rizal
This practical guide 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, 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, a traveler's weaving loom pattern; 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.
Purchase your copy now from Clarissa's store.
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:
Are you interested in learning about weaving?
Classes, apprenticeships & RETREATS
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.