Jul 4, 2014 | Class Act, North Tide, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Louise Baker pays attention to Lily Hope teaching Diane Knopp how to dress her next weaving project on the loom
Ann Smith and I taught our second weaving class together in Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving during the week-long Adaka Festival in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Lily Hope assisted for four days (her first time being away from her family!).
Ann Smith drafts out pattern configuration for Ravenstail design
Ann Smith and I were two of Cheryl Samuel’s first students to learn Ravenstail back in 1989. Since then Ann has woven approximately 5 Ravenstail robes and numerous smaller weavings and has taught classes in Yukon and British Columbia. Ann was one of my first students in Chilkat weaving back in 1991; in fact, she inspired me to weave robes instead of weaving contemporary pieces of regalia. Only recently have I decided to incorporate weaving smaller items in my time line!
Clarissa demonstrates the fantastic fingering technique of her teacher/mentor Jennie Thlunaut. L to R: Dan Shorty, Stefanie Sakinya, Diane Knopp, Andra Hunter, Clarissa, Marge Baufeld, Louise Baker, Sally Lutchman, Charlene Baker
Most of the techniques and spiritual information I teach are directly from my apprenticeship with the last of the traditional master weavers, Jennie Thlunaut from Klukwan, Alaska who passed away in July 1986 two months after she taught me. All students who learn from me are a direct lineage of Jennie’s legacy, the most prolific Chilkat weaver of all time with 50 robes and 8 tunics.
Lily Hope demonstrates weaving techniques on Clarissa’s child-size Chilkat robe to visitors at the Adaka Festival
Lily Hope has been weaving Ravenstail for nearly 10 years. She started weaving Chilkat weaving 4 years ago when she was an assistant teacher during one of my classes in Juneau; little did anyone know that as she was “student teaching” she was for the first time learning how to weave Chilkat!!!
Louise Baker (Tagish) measures her warp for the child-size headband using Jennie Thlunaut’s old-time technique of cutting a piece of cardboard to the length of the project, wrapping the warp loosely but evenly around the board and then cutting one end, before hanging strands on the loom
The class is fairly full with 10 eager students
Lily demonstrates how to “dress” your loom
Ann helps Marge Beaufeld with her first braids while Nita Clarke whizzes away with happy anticipation of another weaving!
Charlene Baker (Whitehorse) shows Debra Michel (Atlin) the additional weaving she has on her loom – one is her first Chilkat weaving the other is her combination of Chilkat and Ravenstail (of which she is well versed).
Debra Michel weaves her second Chilkat weaving, a dance apron she designed…
Lily helps Zach James (Haines, AK) establish his first row of his Ravenstail pattern while Dan Shorty pays attention
Andra Hunter and her mother, Sally Lutchman contemplate what to do next
Stefanie Sakinya Sidney has begun another weaving project on the other side of her loom…!
Ann Smith (with her granddaughter) have fun with Nita Clarke – (let’s face it people, Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving is a lot of work, but it’s fun work!)
Ann reminds the weavers to be mindful of keeping their “stitches” even
Stefanie, Zach, Lily Sharon and Louise
L to R back row: Debra Michel, Charlene Baker, Diane Knopp, Sharon Shorty, Carver Dempsey Bob, Marge Beaufeld, Nita Clarke – Front row: Clarissa Rizal, Ann Smith, Louise Baker (missing: Lily Hope, Zach James, Sally Lutchman, Andra Hunter)
I am totally impressed with the commitment and dedication of the Yukon weavers. It is quite an honor for us to teach weavers who are eager to learn and eager to create more dance regalia for their family, friends and community members. This experience has been an instructor’s dream. And I know it was Jennie’s dream come true as well. She was the last traditional weaver; imagine how she must have felt! Imagine what she would feel if she were to see the number of wanna-be-weavers that have come out of the woodwork to dedicate themselves to a life-long learning process! I know only a small fraction of what she would feel; it has brought me to my knees with gratitude and compassion to be a part of Jennie’s legacy – to be a part of the traditional Chilkat weavers’ legacy and to be a part of this present-day legacy of this younger generation who will carry this forward. Can I have an Amen!? Can I have a Hoo-haa!
Looking through the class window at Clarissa’s yellow “Chilkat mobile” in the parking lot of the KwanlinDun Cultural Center in Whitehorse, Yukon
Thank you to Charlene Alexander, Executive Director of the Adaka Festival (in it’s 4th year), who coordinated another year of this amazing event and once again has invited us to teach weaving! Thank you to all the weavers who came out to learn more about our traditional weaving styles; Gunalcheesh!
Jun 16, 2014 | Class Act, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa reveals some of her tricks-of-the-trade, special suggested techniques and the “mistakes” in her recent Chilkat robe “Resilience” to the students in her One-day Weaving Class
Directly after Celebration, Sunday, June 15, 2014 in Juneau, Alaska, I conducted a one-day weaving class for weavers of all experience levels pertinent information gained from my apprenticeship in 1986 with the last traditional Chilkat weaver, Jennie Thlunaut; combined with my experiences as a weaver and teacher of this traditional art form over the past 30 years. Most of the information was directed towards Chilkat weavers though some of the information can also be applied towards Ravenstail weaving. This one-day class was to provide the spiritual aspects of weaving, tricks-of-the-trade and to inspire weavers to get back to their weavings!! It did not matter if weavers were students of mine or from another teacher; all were invited to attend.
Nila Rinehart helps Clarissa and Deana Dartt-Newton remove her “Resilience” Chilkat robe from the loom
One of the best aspects of this class is that we had approximately 20 students from all over the Northwest Coast as far North as Whitehorse, Yukon Territory throughout Southeast Alaska and into Alert Bay and Kincolith on the Nass River, British Columbia. For me, it was a hoot to have weavers introduce themselves to one another and begin the process of networking!
My assistant and daughter, Lily Hope shows Mary Ebona Miller how to strap just a headboard to the backside of a chair to use as her “loom” – Davina Barrill (orange shirt), Seattle and Donna Cranmer (Alert Bay, B.C.)
Lily demonstrates weaving tricks-of-the-trade to (L to R): Karen Taug, Crystal Worl, Irene Jean Lampe, Nila Rinehart and Crystal Rogers
Donna Cranmer begins weaving her next project of several projects!
Donna Cranmer’s daughter, Gwinti checks out cousin Marley’s work.
Ricky demonstrates an easier method of “dressing” your loom to Karen Taug, Nila and son, Laine Rinehart
Juneauites Crystal Worl takes notes as Crystal Rogers shows Stefanie Sidney (Whitehorse) how to anchor down her heading cord
Vanessa Morgan (Kincolith, Nass River, B.C.) and her child-size Chilkat robe with her starfish/frog clan Clarissa translated into Chilkat design
The next generation of weavers – watch out for them: Crystal Rogers, Crystal Worl, Stefanie Sidney and Amber Baker (Pelly Crossing, Yukon)
Verna Hunt (Alert Bay, B.C.) shares the color and type of yarn she uses for her weavings with Laine Rinehart (Juneau)
Melissa Rinehart (Seattle), Verna and Laine all analyze another type of weft yarn
Ricky Tagaban (Juneau and Charlene Baker (Pelly Crossing, Yukon) share weaving techniques
Angoon weavers Shgen George and Jackie Kookesh share weaving information as they look at Shgen’s newly-hung warp for her first Chilkat roge!
Ricky inspects Shgen’s Chilkat octopus bag – Shgen holds another octopus bag in her hands
Weavers are taking a breather before our potluck feast!
Thank you to all the weavers who came on this past Sunday morning; it was great to see you all together and many of you meeting one another for the first time. Gunalcheesh!
Jun 14, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa with Donna Cranmer (Alert Bay, B.C.) and Ann Smith (Whitehorse, Yukon) at the Sealaska Art Fair during Celebration 2014, Juneau Alaska — Louis Hope receives a pair of mukluks
There was a core group of us weavers, like little more than a handfull who were weaving Chilkat back in the late 80’s; some of those women were Canadian, some were Alaskan — didn’t matter, we were all related somehow! They included Ernestine Hanlon, Suzi Williams, Anna Brown Ehlers, Irene Jimmy, Ann Smith, Donna Cranmer, and myself. There were not very many of us back then; not like today. (I apologize if I forgot to include you!)
It was sure good to meet up with Donna and Ann; we all hadn’t seen one another in 13 years! From 1992 to 2001, we would have Indigenous Weavers’ Gatherings once or twice a year; they began with our hostess Ernestine Hanlon in 1992 in Hoonah – from there we organically grew…a weaver would host a gathering in her home in her home town…we hosted them in Juneau, Haines, Sitka, Alert Bay, Prince Rupert, etc….and it’s been so long, I forget where else!
It’s a darn good thing I blog else I’d forget what I’ve done and where I’ve been and who’ve I done whatever I did where and when! It’s really hard to keep up with myself!
May 9, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa Rizal finishes weaving the ANB (Alaska Native Brotherhood) and ANS (Alaska Native Sisterhood) logos.
Weaving an average of 9 hours per day for the past 5 months, Clarissa must deliver this robe to Portland Art Museum staff members in Juneau during SHI’s biennial “Celebration” this mid-June.
Clarissa begins weaving the (SHI) Sealaska Heritage Institute’s logo (bottom center)
Read about Clarissa’s design description of this robe is in a previous blog entry: http://www.clarissarizal.com/blogblog/?p=2914
Clarissa’s progression of the Sealaska Heritage Institute’s logo in the “tail” of the overall design of the robe.
Apr 17, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Clarissa Rizal and apprentice Teahonna James – April 15, 2014
It’s nerve-wracking to weave a Chilkat robe in a total of 5 months, absolutely nerve-wracking. Though when I have a student who lives an hour from me who is willing to make the drive and sleep in my studio to learn how to weave, that is a real plus for me to make the deadline — and of course, it’s a plus for her because she gets to learn how many tricks-of-the-trade and how to weave a robe! So the trade is perfect for both of us!
Teahonna James has shown a great dedication to herself and I in learning how to weave Chilkat. She is totally committed, has a sense of balance and organizational skills and is a talented “expert” in weaving….but I’m not going to tell her that so we can avoid getting big-headed about it! %^} I appreciate having the gift of apprentices who squeeze Chilkat weaving in between the lines! Recent apprentices Crystal Rogers and Vanessa Morgan are two others who do this too.
There are several other apprentices too from the distant past who have become strong weavers and teachers in their own communities. I know my mentor and teacher of Chilkat, Jennie Thlunaut would be proud of them too. There is a sense of peace knowing that I fulfilled my promise to Jennie; there is a sense of pride with the students knowing they are a major part of that promise.
Thank you, Teahonna; I appreciate you making the time and effort to come over the past couple of weekends to assist me in gettingerdun!
Apr 1, 2014 | Health and Wellness, Honoring Others, Relationship Overdrive, Tlingit Culture Accentuated, Uncategorized |
Cheap Chilkat weaving in colors of red (a taboo), black, turquoise and cream — by Clarissa Rizal 1985
30 years ago, when there were less than a handful of weavers, I thought I’d try my hand at Chilkat weaving without an instructor. I wove this Chilkat sampler using cheap clothesline for warp and commercial 4-ply black, turquoise, cream and red (a taboo) weft yarns. Instead of using the traditional yellow, I thought red would be nifty because the rest of our traditional artwork uses these same colors, so why not?
According to a Chilkat weaving elder from Haines, Alaska, the late Maria Ackerman Miller warned me not to use red in the weaving because it signifies the weaver as being egotistical. Both Maria and the late Jennie Thlunaut said weavers only use red for example in the tongue of a wolf.
Cotton clothesline used as warp for a Chilkat sampler by Clarissa Rizal — 1985
I have never publicly shown this weaving until now. I’ve hidden it for 30 years and it is now coming out of the closet. I have reasons for this. I want to show an example of one of my very first attempts at Chilkat weaving, where I didn’t have some one to help “show me the way” nor receive proper instruction on using fine, traditional materials or to teach me the taboos…yet (not until my apprenticeship with Jennie Thlunaut the following year in 1986). I show this sampler here also to show any beginner students of Chilkat weaving to have compassion for self as you learn the intricacies of weaving in this style; you WILL become a better weaver — a few of us start out as perfect weavers, others like myself do not! Not until last year have I felt like I know what I am doing in Chilkat weaving… 30 years later! hello!
I also wanted to show my tendency to get a big head, especially when I was younger!
Teachings such as the ones I received from Maria Miller Ackerman and Jennie Thlunaut are invaluable; they help keep us on the right “spiritual” path. Our elders will tell us many things we do not understand, though we have the respect to follow through with their words and their example without question. In our culture, we do not ask the question “why?” A respectful Native (or non-Native) person will heed an elder’s lead.
It is good to be humbled now and then. Sometimes we do get big-headed; we forget the words of our Native mentors, though there are things that bring us back to “who we are.”
Mar 29, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Showing Off, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
The three marks above the Sealaska Corporation logo…Clarissa Rizal
The top of the shared head and beaks of the “Eagle” and “Raven” of the Sealaska Corporation logo — by Clarissa Rizal
Almost completion of the shared eye of the “Eagle” and “Raven”, Sealaska Corporation logo — by Clarissa Rizal
Mar 17, 2014 | Latest Art Projects, Ravens & Eagles, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
A 1/4 slice of the “Resilience” Chilkat robe as of Friday, March 14, 2014 – woven by Clarissa Rizal
One of the most important challenges a Chilkat weaver encounters on a daily basis is creating the balancing act of the following: taking care of other business (personal & business), making time with family, main relationship and friends, and making time for our health and well-being. The past week has been challenging. I just want to make sure I get the next section of weaving done (the Sealaska Corporation logo) by next weekend. However, I’ve spent a day preparing for and partaking in a birthday for a grand-daughter, spent a day supporting a friend in a medical challenge, spent a day recouperating from both events, and spent another day dealing with the insurance/registration/wheels of a car, insurance/mortgage on the house, figuring out how to replace the washer machine when we don’t have the finances for another, attending a conference call and placing orders online for supplements. That’s four days of no weaving; that is most frustrating when I am pressed with a deadline to complete this robe on time!
In the world of Chilkat weaving we just have to take a deep breath knowing fully well the robe will get done in time and say to ourselves: C’est la vie!
Mar 10, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Tlingit Culture Accentuated |
Chilkat Weaving Class taught by Clarissa Rizal and Lily Hope at SEARHC’s Board Room, Juneau, Alaska — July 2010 — L to R: Fausto Paulo, Mary Ebona Miller, Gail Dabaluz, Trisha Makaily, Leandrea Makaily, Catrina Mitchell, Ricky Tagaban, Lily Hope, & Jeanette Tabor
As of this date March 10, 2014, there are five Chilkat or Ravenstail weaving classes Clarissa will be teaching this Summer in Alaska, Yukon, B.C. and Washington State; here’s her schedule (subject to change depending on additional classes):
Chilkat Weaving Class held at Catrina Mitchell’s home, Juneau, Alaska — 2010
1). One Day “Gain-Confidence-In-Chilkat-Skills Class held the day after Celebration 2014 in Juneau, Alaska: Sunday, June 15th; 9am to 3pm Location: TBA For a description of the class, costs, etc., please read the blog entry with specific details of this class by clicking here.
For further information and sign up, please contact Clarissa at: clarissa@www.clarissarizal.com
Chilkat and Ravenstail weavers taught by Ann Smith and Clarissa Rizal gather on the back deck of the Kwaanlin Dun Cultural Center on the Yukon River, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory – June 2013
2). Ann Smith will be teaching Ravenstail and Clarissa will be teaching Chilkat Weaving during the week of the Adaka Festival at the Kwaanlin Dun Cultural Center in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada — June 27th through July 3rd, 2014
To see photos and read about last year’s Chilkat/Ravenstail weaving class taught by Ann and Clarissa during the Adaka Festival 2013, click here.
To inquire or sign up for this year’s class, contact Charlene Alexander, Executive Coordinator of the Adaka Festival
The cabin of Chilkat Weaving demonstration at the Teslin “Celebration 2013” in Teslin, Yukon Territory
3). Clarissa will teach a two-week Ravenstail Weaving Class July 6 through July 21st, at the Teslin Cultural Center on the shores of Teslin Lake. We will weave a headband; all equipment, supplies and materials will be provided.
Click here to see photos and read about last year’s Chilkat Weaving Gathering and Demo in the cabin which is part of artist’s demonstration during Teslin’s Biennial Celebration 2013.
Inquire or sign up with Melaina Sheldon at the Teslin CC at: Melaina.Sheldon@ttc-teslin.com
4). (Note: There will be just a 3-day break from the Ravenstail weaving class in Teslin to demonstrate at the Atlin Music Festival in Atlin, B.C., the weekend of July 11, 12 & 13th. The Teslin class students (and the Whitehorse or any Alaskan weavers) have the option to demonstrate weaving at the Atlin Music Festival; though your attendance is not required. We will resume the second week of the Ravenstail weaving class in Teslin on Tuesday, July 15th, ending July 21st. )
To see photos and read about last year’s weaving demonstration at the Atlin Music Festival, click here
Teahonna James demonstrates at the Atlin Music Festival, Atlin, B.C., Canada – July 2013
5). A beginner’s Chilkat or Ravenstail weaving class in Yakutat is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, July 27 through Thursday, July 31st. Specifics TBA – stay tuned!
6). Clarissa will be teaching Chilkat weaving during a Chilkat Weavers’ Retreat held on Vashon Island, Washington State, during the week of September 9th to the 16th. You must have prior weaving experience and a project already started on your loom.
See more photos and read last year’s blog entry on the Beach House Retreat by clicking here.
Class size is limited to 10 students. For more information and sign up for this year’s Retreat, please contact Sue Shotridge at: sue@shotridgestudios.com
Chilkat Weaving Retreat will be held at the Beach House on Vashon Island, Washington State
Mar 8, 2014 | Adventures of Rear-Mirror Rissy, Class Act, Tools-of-the-Trade |
Easy carrying of two 36″ Chilkat weaving looms – the 36-inch loom is generally used for weaving dance aprons, a pair of leggings, a child-size robe, or anything smaller
Each of our Chikat and Ravenstail weaving looms are hand crafted by a local woodworker; it’s not like we can just order these on eBay, Amazon or any fabric or yarn store. Not yet, anyway! Most of our weaving looms are collapsible for easy transport to and from classes, to and from our auntie’s or friend’s house, and to and from the art shows or demonstrations. We need a variety of size of bags to transport our various-sized weaving looms.
Top “wrap-about” zipper of the fabulous Manfrotte (Model # MBAG120PM) for Microphone and music stands – which in this case, thanks to Preston for gifting me this bag, is converted into a Chilkat weaving loom carrying case!
I have hand-made the smaller weaving 24″ looms bags like the black leather one below; however, I need very sturdy, resilient bags for the much larger weaving looms. I have used ski bags with wheels for my 7″ weaving looms, snowboard bags for my 6′ and 5′ weaving looms and most recently this padded microphone/music stand bag with the wrap-around zippered entry at one end!
Two types of weaving loom bags for a 24″ hardwood loom: the black leather bag with button and beadwork trim was made by Clarissa Rizal nearly 25 years ago, and the green cotton bag with front pouch is a yoga mat bag. Both of shoulder straps
When traveling across country by boat, car or plane with a large weaving loom, I recommend owning a padded, sturdy bag, preferrably with wheels! I have traveled annually with my weaving looms of all size for nearly 30 years. I know the ropes, folks — it’s all in the bag!
