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Much Alaskan art is unique because of our varied cultural inheritance. As primitive as this land has been, art has flourished here in many ways. Much of it is inseparable from the Alaskan culture.
Alaskan Native art and the beautiful Native handmade crafts contribute greatly to this artistry. Have you ever seen a handmade Eskimo fur parka or pair of mukluks? They are absolutely beautiful as well as being totally practical. They are definitely artistic creations. Or have you seen any of their walrus ivory carvings of bilikens, Eskimo implements or ivory jewelry? 
Or the many well-known totem poles of Alaskan Native tribes. Even the Native or Eskimo tools, such as an ulu, contribute to Alaskan art. You'll find woven grass baskets made by Native artists or pottery made from the clay in Cook Inlet and other areas. There is a lot of iron in the clay so it turns bright red when it is baked. Some local Anchorage artists mix strands of white clay with the native clay to make some truly gorgeous pottery. Then the Russian artistic inheritance is seen in the architecture of many early Russian Orthodox Churches and other buildings. Many Alaskan cities still have remnants of their influence. Jade and other semi-precious stones are quite abundant in Alaska and so are the many artistic uses that have been made of them. Some Alaskans found a supply of diamond willow many years ago and made good use of it. They carved some very beautiful lamp bases out of this exotic-looking wood. If you've never heard of diamond willow, that's not surprising. It is rare. It's a willow tree that has deep reddish-brown colored, diamond-shaped ridges surrounding the base of branches on the trunk or other limbs of the tree. Because it contrasts so well against the white wood underneath, it makes beautiful furniture or other items when carved and varnished. 
Artists paint beautiful Alaska scenery or Alaskan wildlife pictures in oils, not only on canvases, but on gold pans. These Alaska gold pan paintings help commemorate our gold rush history. You'll also find lots gold nugget jewelry. You can always find gift shops, even in small Alaskan towns, that will carry some of this Alaskan art as gifts or Alaskan souvenirs. You can also find plenty of it at local community celebrations in various Alaskan towns throughout the year. You'll even find some VERY unusual Alaskan gifts. Such as the silly jewelry that is made from moose droppings. I guess it could be worse! Since moose spend all winter chewing on birch bark and other such things, the droppings they leave behind are pure, compressed sawdust. As kids, we used to collect these just because it was fun. There is no smell, they are totally dry and break apart easily when you sqeeze them. The jewelry is covered with shellac or varnish of some kind, so if you are squeamish, don't worry. Just don't step on them! But did you ever think you would find art out in the middle of nowhere? Not likely — but I did! 
Landing on a small gravel airstrip with nothing much around except woods, we walked a short distance down an old gravel road. There was a small hanger and a few planes off to the side. I saw one A-frame home in the distance. The gravel road evidently travels some miles to the small town of Seldovia. Only a few hundred people live in this wide wilderness area. There is definitely no water service or other community utilities here. Off to the side of the road, a fire hydrant is sitting that is all painted up as if it were the face of a clown! Well, that's artistic creativity for sure. Another time when flying to Dillingham, I took a few photos there. One was of the Dillingham Fire Department. The building had a mural painted across the front of it. It was a representation of the Alaska native lifestyle. This is the town in Southwestern Alaska where Todd and Sarah Palin have their fishing business. It is a long way from any road system and can only be reached by plane or boat. I guess wherever you find humans, you'll find art, no matter how primitive or undeveloped an area is. It is our nature to create beautiful things and enhance our lives with our creations. Many people have a part in creating the art that can be identified as truly Alaskan. So if you would like some Alaska souvenirs or gifts from Alaska to send to friends and relatives, there is plenty of variety in Alaskan art to choose from. Take some Alaskan art home with you as a reminder of your special Alaskan vacation! Return to Top of Alaskan Art Page Return to Tips for Backwoods Alaska Vacations Home Page
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