Lisa Kamahamak Lynch, an Inupiaq artist, recently completed a three-week residency at the Sheldon Jackson Museum in Sitka, Alaska. Lynch, known for her beadwork, painting, and traditional crafts, shared her skills through community classes and demonstrations.
The residency allowed Lynch to explore her heritage, create art, and interact with visitors. She produced various pieces, from small beaded earrings to intricate necklaces, while also researching in the museum’s archives. She says she draws on generations of Inupiaq knowledge to create art that is beautiful in it’s simplicity.
Lynch emphasized the importance of preserving traditional skills and culture, stating, “There’s so much rich art tradition here in Alaska,” Lynch emphasized. “No matter what you think, if it’s just like a small minute thing that no one will care about, is people will care about it because there’s just not a lot left of it.”
Lynch says the residency in Sitka has boosted her confidence to pursue future artistic opportunities, reinforcing her commitment to showcasing the beauty of Inupiaq art and its millennia-old heritage.
“It took thousands of years to get to this point, and it will be the most beautiful thing people will ever see,” Lynch said.
