Nestled at the gateway to Alaska's Inside Passage, Ketchikan proudly wears the title of the 'First City,' where rugged wilderness meets rich history. This picturesque coastal town, framed by towering mountains and ancient forests, was shaped by pioneers drawn to its thriving fishing, logging, and mining industries. Beyond its adventurous past, Ketchikan also thrives as a haven for artists, blending Native Alaskan traditions with the creative spirit of local craftspeople - where every artist’s story is filled with culture and creativity.

Mike and Susan Peters, Master Collectors of Native Alaskan Art

Long time Ketchikan residents, Mike and Susan Peters, own two unique galleries in Ketchikan and their story of collecting both Native and local Alaskan arts is truly remarkable.

Mike, what are your two galleries and how do they differ?

"My wife and I opened Arctic Spirit Gallery in 1996, which specializes in authentic Native Arts that we collect from various towns and villages throughout Alaska. "Scanlon Gallery specializes in arts crafted by non-Native Alaskan artists. It is the oldest existing gallery in Alaska since 1972.

"We represent over 150 Native and non-Native artists between both galleries."

Please give me some examples of what types of art each gallery features?

"Arctic Spirit is like no other gallery, featuring a curated collection of authentic Native arts and crafts from the Northwest coast and throughout Alaska. Many of these items can only be crafted by true Natives, including baleen baskets crafted of whale bone with walrus ivory and baleen inlays.”

"Only Natives can utilize these materials. We showcase art pieces in wood, ivory and whale bone from many renowned Native artists. We also collect bones and ivory pieces with delicate scrimshaw etchings and carvings, in addition to beautiful hand-painted drums, woven sea grass and seal gut baskets, and so much more.”

"Each art piece is unique and one-of-a-kind, labeled with the Silver Hand sticker which guarantees the authenticity of true Native art. We also have a notable collection of vintage items we've acquired, representing mid to late 20th century Native crafts."

“Scanlon Gallery's arts are produced by artists from Ketchikan and throughout Alaska who are not Natives and work in a variety of mediums.”

“These arts include original landscape and wildlife paintings, fine prints, wood carvings, hand-crafted jewelry, blown glass, sculptures, home decor items, wearable art pieces, gold nugget jewelry, photography, pottery and more, all made in Alaska. We also provide custom framing for our original paintings and fine art prints.”

How do you find and collect these unique arts and crafts?

"For Arctic Spirit, my wife and I travel throughout Alaska meeting with Native Artists, their families and apprentices, generally in November and December, before winter sets in. We’ve been friends with many of the artists and their families for decades now. It is fascinating to see how some art has evolved through generations giving it a contemporary touch, while many of the artists also maintain and pass down ancient traditional crafting processes.”

"For Scanlon, we work with local artists in Ketchikan, as well as travel throughout Alaska searching for unique artisans. Many artists also come to us from throughout Alaska to show us their collection of arts and crafts because of our reputation. We accept only the finest."

(Click on images below for description and artist)

 Are different regions in Alaska known for particular Native Art forms?

"Indeed. The Southeast region is full of timber in the SEAK (Southeast Alaska Conservation Council) Tongas National Forest. It is home to Ketchikan. The world's largest collection of standing Native American Totem Poles can be found at the Saxman Native Village, which gives visitors a glimpse of the traditions of the Tlingit culture. The crafts we collect from this region are generally made of wood such as small and large totems, drums, cedar baskets, prints, carved masks and paddles."

"In the Interior and Central regions of Alaska, there are fields of grasses, so we collect an array of willow root, birch bark and woven grass baskets. In the Southeast region, we find hand-carved silver jewelry, beadwork, carvings, art prints and masks. In Northern Alaska, the Nome area and above, there is an abundance of walrus tusks, whale bones and ivory found on the beaches of the Bering Sea.'

"Only Alaska Natives are allowed to possess unworked ivory, which can only be sold after it is handcrafted by a Native. Natives also snorkel to retrieve shells and bones from the sea floor. Some carved items are made of fossil or mineralized ivory which comes from the found tusks of both walrus and prehistoric mammoths and mastodons. These materials are not restricted for use by Natives. This region also makes beautiful ulu knives, scrimshaw etchings, seal gut and baleen baskets with ivory finials."

What are your most rare or distinctive, sought-after arts and crafts at Arctic Spirit Gallery?

"Similar to Native American Kachinas, handcrafted dolls made with sealskin, sheared beaver and/or polar bear fur are popular collectibles. Sea Otter apparel and handicrafts hold special appeal as well. Baleen baskets, handwoven from the jaw of Baleen whales, with ivory finials are also popular among Native Art collectors."

"Visitors also like to purchase ulu knives carved of ivory and bones. Scrimshaw is scrollwork, engravings and carvings created on bone or ivory, originating in the late 18th Century by whaling sailors. Scarves made of Qiveut, the soft underdown from the MuskOx, are very rare and elegant. The process takes several years to get yarn ready for designing and while very soft and light weight, it is eight times warmer than wool. Chilkat blankets woven with cedar bark and mountain goat wool are also quite special."

"The colorful beadwork created for clothing and jewelry by the Athabaskan Indian women of interior Alaska is also highly prized by collectors of Alaskan Native crafts. 

How can buyers tell if an item is authentic, crafted by a true Alaska Native Artist?

"We are proud to be the only gallery in Alaska that possesses a CITIES permit, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington, D.C. This recognizes Arctic Spirit as a vendor of authentic Native Arts. We always include a biography of the artist to buyers along with a write up on the materials used in crafting the art piece. They all have a "Silver Hand" sticker on back identifying the piece as authentic Native Art as well."

In addition, the U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Arts & Crafts Board offers the following guidelines to visitors.

• When purchasing Native Art, be sure to request a written verification that is in an authentic Alaska Native-made product.

• Get a receipt that includes all the vital information about your art, including price, materials, maker and the maker's Alaska Native village or Tribe.

• Look for the State "Silver Hand" symbol which features the words, "Authentic Alaska Native Art from Alaska". A "Made in Alaska" emblem means that the item was made in Alaska, but not necessarily by an Alaska Native.

• It is legal to export mammoth and mastodon ivory because these species are extinct. Walrus ivory that has been worked into authentic Alaska Native artwork may also be exported, but not in it's natural form.

Recognize that authentic Alaska Native art may be expensive because of the skill and effort to produce it that reflects the artist's craftsmanship, culture and heritage. For instance, an item can look like bone or ivory and actually be made of resin, which is much lighter and of course, less expensive to produce.

For further information on Ketchikan and a video about its artists visit www.visit-Ketchikan.com.

• Indian Arts & Crafts Board www.doi.gov/iacb.
• Arctic Spirit Gallery www.arcticspiritgallery.com
• Scanlon Art Gallery www.scanlongallery.com

Useful links

https://www.portofcallshopper.travel

www.travelalaska.com