Bigger than ever, AFN arts market showcases ‘microcosm of Alaska’

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Each year, Indigenous artisans converge for three days during the convention to sell carvings, kuspuks, fur-lined hats and all manner of jewelry.

This year’s convention featured more than 200 artists from around Alaska and the Lower 48. Sitting in the middle of it all was George J. Bennett Sr., a Lingít artist from Sitka. His bentwood boxes, decorated in formline designs, were already halfway sold out by the end of the morning.

“This is kind of like the melting pot,” he said. “It’s like you’re sat on a corner and you’re watching all your friends go by and as you see them and you wave.” Bonney said the market draws thousands of people to AFN every year. Upstairs, prominent leaders speak and important discussions about Alaska Native issues take place. But the market can be an entry point for the general public.

Trinity Villalobos came to the convention from Fairbanks for work. But like everyone else who attends AFN, she and friend Tiara Davis took some time to browse for things that wouldn’t break the bank.She was eying some Halloween-themed bracelets — while Davis had her eye on a hummingbird hair clip. For the first time, this year’s market spilled over into an additional room upstairs. Vina Brown set up her table there. She’s Haíłzaqv and Nuučaan̓uɫ, originally from British Columbia. She traveled from Lummi, Washington to the market for the first time. She’s been to the Santa Fe Indian Market and others.

“Just like our rights aren’t frozen in time, our art isn’t frozen in time. So we’re allowed to adapt and pivot and elevate that,” Brown said.

 

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Bigger than ever, AFN arts market showcases ‘microcosm of Alaska’Each year, Indigenous artisans converge for three days during the convention to sell carvings, kuspuks, fur-lined hats and all manner of jewelry.
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