A group of 10 Chilkat weaving students gathered for the first day of a two-week intensive class on Monday, July 26th at the SEARHC Board Room in Juneau, Alaska – this was a long-awaited class organized by fellow artist and dance group leader, Atricia Makaily. A little over a month ago, Makaily had sent out an email to all on her listing announcing the class; she received a total of 35 people interested in Chilkat weaving, and this was just from the Juneau area! Why is the number seem to be such a big deal to me? I have been teaching Chilkat weaving for almost 22 years. Up until now, I have never had more than 5 or even 10 people interested at one given time. It was like pulling teeth to get people interested (and then dedicated) to weaving Chilkat!
Above is a photo showing some of the students beginning to “warp up their loom” (meaning: to hang their warp); below is a photo of Leandra measuring the warp using cardboard, one of the many Jennie Thlunaut’s tricks-of-the-trade :
My daughter, Lily Hudson is student-teaching the class with me. I think she is just as good a teacher, if not better! She says that teaching this class confirms what she knows about herself and what she wants to do in life – so she is on the right road in obtaining her Master’s Degree in Elementary School Education this year at UAS.
Students in this class are: Ricky Tagaban, Fausto Paulo, Mary Ebona-Miller, Gail Dabaluz, Leandra Makaily, Atricia Makaily, Catrina Mitchell, Sharon Zuboff, Jeanette Tabor, Lorraine DeAsis & Lily Hudson
Due to popular interest, there will be another two-week Chilkat weaving class for beginner’s and those who want to brush up on their weaving skills, starting on Sunday, August 15th through Sunday, August 29th. Student limit is 10, although we may allow 15 depending on whether or not my student teacher is on. We already have 8 confirmed for this class. For more information and to reserve your space, contact me on my cell phone at: 970-903-8386 or email me at: clarissa@www.clarissarizal.com
Many thanks to Karen Taug and SEARHC for allowing us the use of their beautiful Board Room to hold our classes. The room has skylights!
Stay tuned for more photos on this class to be posted later…!
I have very high respect to Clarissa and her daughter Lilly and others in the class for helping us with our weaving. Very intense and spiritual can be frustraing at times but if it’s done right the way instructed then it flows! Gunalcheesh
Thank you Mary – we’ll see you next week!
I would love to lean how to Chilkat weave…you are an amazing weaver and I am moving back to Alaska in May and would love to see about taking some classes and don’t have a clue where to start. I weave baskets and hats out of yellow and red ceder and spruce roots..my teacher is Deloris Churchill. Thank you for your time.
Sonya