The 2008 Alaska Federation of Natives Arts & Craft show was held in Anchorage at thier new convention center on October 23rd, 24th and 25th. Doug Chilton, Gene Chilton, and I drove up from Haines to Anchorage... a drive that is about 870 miles. Brian Chilton flew up from Juneau. The AFN is mostly a political event of Alaska Native leaders from all over the state. Alaska's political leaders all come to address the assembly... Mark Begich spoke, as well as Don Young. Ted Stevens was having his trial at the moment, and our worship... the governor... Sarah Palin was running for Vice President of the U.S. The AFN has a show called the AFN Arts & Craft Show... which attracts the best native artist in the whole state of Alaska. This is definately the most important show we have here in the far north.
Silver & Copper bracelets & stone sculptures.
The Chiltons had thier Tlingit silver & copper engraved bracelets & jewelery. I had my stone sculptures of polar bears, seals, sea lion rookeries, owls, and whales... all made of soapstone. We did quite well... but we did better in Fairbanks when they hosted AFN. But there was many more vendors here than there was in Fairbanks. The convention center is so beautiful... It was quite comfortable place to have a show.Aakatchaq Schaeffer
My friend Aakatchaq Schaeffer came by for a visit. I haven't seen her since the Juneau Public Market in 2007. Her work is quite beautiful... especially her masks. Her paintings are great too, I am sad that I missed a show of hers... just down the street. She is talented and so great to talk about art. That is why I love these shows... you get to catch up with other artists friends... and see thier latest work. I was trying to convince Aakatchaq to come down to Juneau for the Public Market. The only problem is there is never enough time to visit... because after the show is over... everyone is tired. I did get to spend a little time with her... she came over to my sister Carolyn for dinner. It was fun. You can check out her work at her website listed at the bottom of this web page.Brian Chilton Jr., Gene Chilton, and Aakatchaq.
Gene Chilton, Brian Chilton, Aakatchaq, and myself were at the table. Doug Chilton was at the AFN conferences... working on different native issues. It doesn't look like much art on the table... but it is all work thousands of dollars.A view of the main floor of the AFN Show
There was about 120 vendors... maybe more. Our table was easy to find... we had a six foot totem pole next to it.Sonny and Aakatchaq
It is always sad to say goodbye. Doug and I were getting ready for the long drive back to Haines. It was quite cold outside... about 9 degrees F. I'll miss Aakatchaq... as well as other artists here in Anchorage.
Chilton, Doug Chilton & Sonny
