Inside the exhibit hall at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage, hundreds of people milled around, gazing at the array of tables displaying Alaska Native and American Indian artwork.
She said she started beading while attending college in the Lower 48 as a way to feel connected to home, creating designs with blueberries, strawberries and flowers common to Southeast Alaska. “It’s good to finally have an opportunity to be in-person and to just see friends and family from across the state for this beautiful gathering and just feeling reconnected to everyone during a very trying time of our collective chapter in our lives,” Hanlon said.Earl Atchak from Chevak carves bone and ivory masks and dolls. His Mary Peltola doll attracted a lot of attention at this year’s AFN arts and craft market.
“I’ve done different kinds of dolls, and every time I make a political doll, that person seems to always win,” Atchak said.