CELEBRATION OF NATIVE ARTThank you for supporting CONA 2020, our Annual Celebration of Native Art
This year CONA was held virtually for the months of October, November and December. Thank you for supporting these amazing Alaska Native artists and see you again in the Fall of 2021.
IVORY ART
Mark Tetpon
Mark Tetpon Currently resides in Anchorage, Alaska. Born in Anchorage, Alaska and is Inupiat Eskimo, I have been doing artwork for 30 years and specialize in Ivory, wood, fossilized whalebone and baleen. I mostly make masks that have been handed down by my Grandfather Eric Tetpon Sr. and my dad John Tetpon.
My paintings come from childhood memories of my family, who come from Unalakleet (Grandfather), White Mountain (Mother) Amy Eben-Paris, and Shaktoolik (Grandmother). My grandparents were Wayne & Sarah Eben, from the village of Unalakleet, Alaska.
I teach marine biology on YouTube through science, stories and art. I'm 29 and live in Snohomish WA. I want to raise awareness of our beautiful bodies of water and the creatures that live in them. I support my community by donating portions of my sales each month to different charities. Thanks for your support!
Seattle-area artist features contemporary native artwork ranging from cave-art mixed-media works on panel, to graphite on paper. Susan offers a light-hearted description of herself as a “Urban Iñupiat & a Scandinavian who doesn’t look the part”. Enrolled tribal member of Native Village of Shishmaref.
My name is Victoria “Sissy” Kotongan. I am an artist from Unalakleet, residing in Anchorage, Alaska. I create with many mediums from fur sewing and beadwork to sketches and painting. As I evolve and grow my art bears witness. With each new undertaking I desire to learn more and try new things.
Gertie Zitzelberger is from Unalakleet, Alaska. She sews custom traditional and non-traditional items. She published a children’s book “The Red Dragonfly from Alaska.” Writing is one of her passions, sharing subsistence knowledge through her blog sewskimogertz.com. She is also a licensed personal shopper through Rural Family Expediting Services!
Naataq Gear LLC is a business founded on two Inupiaq values: Humility and Respect. We share our culture through wearable art, functional and beautiful garments inspired by our traditional Qaspeq (kuspuk). Today Naataq Gear LLC, focuses on innovative fabrics and methods of production to continue to make beautiful garments that carry our traditions and culture.
Hello, my name is Barbara Jones. I’m from Anchorage but my mother is from Hooper Bay and my father was from Unakleet
I currently make baskets, dancing fans and Issrans. My beach grass was picked at Hooper Bay Alaska. Thank you.
Bonnie was born and raised in Nome, Alaska to Roy and Carol Piscoya. All of her photographs have been taken while on a flight, or a drive all around the Seward Peninsula. Her inspiration came from her father, Roy, who also had a great interest in cameras and photography. Bonnie is self-taught using her natural talent and natural eye for beauty.
Born and raised in Alaska I grew up on the beaches and tundra dreaming of all things creative. I'm able to learn traditional ways and develop modern skills to share my passion, and keep my hands busy. You'll find a wide range of pieces as I learn new skills and hone on others; painting, all things sewing, jewelry, Qaspeqs, and more.
My name is Christina Waska. My dads name is Vincent Waska. His mother came from old Kotlik. His dad came from Oscarville. But my talent I picked up from my mom from Newtok. That's where my roots came from. The desire to learn to be an artist and be independent also stemmed from becoming a single mom to my 11 year old son.
Giving back to the community and being apart of it, is very important to me. I was in the Spring Creek Correctional Center’s Hobby Shop and learn from some amazing artists. My struggle is still real but I am proud to say that I am over 4 months sober but it’s a daily battle of telling myself I want something more out of life.