MOTA Art initiative fund
The Museum of the ALeutians is seeking Donations to support Local artists, expand our art collections, and generally support art in the aleutian Islands Region.
The current goal of the Art Initiative Fund is the purchase of a small woven mat woven by Agnes Thompson. Thompson has been weaving consistently for over four decades and first learned to weave from her mother, Olean Prokopeuff at the age of 25. She credits her mother with teaching her to weave in the traditional Attu-style, although her weaving was also influenced by her maternal aunt, Pariscovia Wright, and her god-mother, Jenny Golley. Mrs. Thompson descends from a long line of weavers from Atka and Attu. Agnes Thompson has completed more than 100 baskets and is considered by the Unangan basket expert and historian, Ray Hudson, to be the greatest weaver currently practicing the art.
Learn more about Agnes in her Rasmuson profile.
We are looking to raise $1,600 for this beautiful mat.
The Museum of the Aleutians first goal was the raising of funds to purchase art pieces for display at the Unalaska Library! These pieces were originally intended to be purchased for the library, but due to COVID-19, the City had to postpone the library expansion project. This is a way for the Museum of the Aleutians to help organize and give back to the community and to support Alaskan artists! The artwork was selected by the library expansion project’s Art Committee, after receiving proposals from artists across the state. Learn more about the artists and their projects on this page below!
Valisa Higman
Valisa Higman is a cut paper artist and illustrator from Seldovia, Alaska.
“Starting with a single sheet of black paper, Valisa carves away at the background using an Xacto knife, and her images are revealed in an intricate lacework of lines. Using the black as her foreground, she fills the negative space by piecing together layers of paper in vibrant colors and textures. As a finishing touch, she adds the last details and shading with watercolor and other paints.” (from the artist’s website)
Project: 3 original Alaskan Fairy Tale pieces for the Unalaska Library Children’s Room
Karel Machalek
Originally from Czechoslovakia, Karel Machalek is a metal sculpture artist living in Unalaska. His work can be found in museums, homes, and in public places around Unalaska.
Project: metal sculpture
Anntouza Sedjo
Anntouza Sedjo is an artist who spends her time split between Unalaska and New York. Her artwork takes inspiration from the natural world, from detailed drawings of birds and plants to gothic-style paintings.
Project: 6 watercolor pieces, to be displayed in the Unalaska Library Children’s Room
Sara Tabbert
Sara Tabbert is a printmaker and mixed media artist. Her artwork can be found in Alaskan museums, schools and public buildings across the state.
Project: A 4 panel series, “Reading the Shore” carved and painted laminated cedar panels, based on the artist’s observations in Unalaska in 2016.