Song of the Sea: Carvings of St. Lawrence Island

For thousands of years, Alaska Native carvers utilized Pacific walrus, fossil mammoth, and mastodon ivory to produce a large variety of tools to help them survive the difficult and often hostile Arctic environment. In the late 19th century, a marketplace for ivory objects and art emerged, and over time it became an important economic resource for local artists. A presentation about Alaska Native ivory carving history and contemporary issues is provided by Indian Arts and Craft Board Program Specialists Lars Krutak, Ph.D. and Ken Van Wey, with special guest speaker Alaska Native master carver Ben Pungowiyi (St. Lawrence Island Yupik). Pungowiyi's carvings are featured in an exhibition of St. Lawrence Island carvers at the Indian Arts and Crafts Board’s Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City, South Dakota, from October 24, 2019 to January 20, 2020.