Indigenous artist Theresa Woldstad exhibits new work as Artist in Residence at Bunnell Street Arts Center for the month of October. Woldstad’s work explores the challenges of navigating legal access to resources an Indigenous artist in Alaska today. Her hybrid workshop model, “Navigating Ambiguous Waters; Natural Resources for Customary Artists” combines virtual lectures, live Q and A’s sessions and Open Studios throughout the month of October. Her exhibit opening is 5-7 on Friday, October 7th with an Artist Talk at 6pm.

“Alaska Native Art strengthens Alaska’s cultural economy, social culture,  natural resource use and political engagement. However, the link between natural resource management and customary material harvest and use has been fraught by regulatory ambiguity, and broad nature of artistic creation.” – Theresa Woldstad

The workshop includes weekly online lectures exploring Alaska Native Arts Permitting and Regulation theory, linking Native Artists and the diverse Land Managers of Alaska who regulate materials’ harvest. Lectures are released weekly on Bunnell’s YouTube Channel through out the month:

Saturday, October 8th – What is Native Arts and Who Creates It – Artistic and Tribal Identification 

Saturday, October 15th – Navigating Treaties and Harvest Manuals – Natural Artistic Materials in a Modern World

Saturday, October 22nd – Artistic Creation, Intent, and Modification. Personal Use and Commercial Native Arts

Viewers are invited to send Woldstad questions inspired by the lectures and she’ll collect responses from Land Managers, Wildlife Enforcement officers, Board of Game members, and Native Artists throughout the month. Woldstad shares these questions and answers in an online Q & A on Mondays, beginning 10/10 through 10/24 from 7 – 8:30 pm as well as in-person open studios on Wednesdays beginning 10/12, through 10/26, from 12 – 5pm at Bunnell Street Arts Center. All are welcome.

Register for Woldstad’s Workshop / Q & A here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Participation in this workshop series is by optional donation. If you’d like to support this program, make a donation here.

Woldstad was born on Kodiak Island, and she is part of the Ketchikan Indian Community, a Federally-recognized tribe. Her mother is Salish and her father was a non-Native game warden in Alaska. She currently lives in Fairbanks. She is passionate about connecting artists with opportunities, rights and responsibilities surrounding resource access, use and management.

This residency is funded by Alaska State Council on the Arts and National Performance Network. 

Exhibit Opening and Artist Talk: Friday, October 7, 2022 from 5 -7 pm, Artist talk at 6pm  

Virtual Lecture Series: Saturdays, October 8th – October 29th, 2022 on Bunnell’s YouTube channel.

Virtual Q&A Opportunities: Mondays, October 10th – October 24th, 2022. 7-8:30 on Zoom. To participate register here.

In-person Open Studios: Wednesdays, October 12 – October 26th, 2022 12-5pm at Bunnell Street Arts Center, free.