Longtime Kodiak resident Jim Dillard is this week’s guest at the Alutiiq Museum’s Fall Lecture Series. A life-long woodcarver since age 10, Jim’s work has been shown at art galleries in eight states and he’s been teaching woodcarving around Kodiak Island for over 30 years.

This Thursday, he will be discussing “Traditional Tools and Carving Techniques of Alaska Native Carvers.” Jim will explore the development and use of the tools used in making household and ceremonial items, with an emphasis on the versatility of Native-designed tools as opposed to European tools. He will also discuss the traditional methods of procuring wood for building boats and why those methods are far superior to the quick-and-easy methods used today.

This free presentation takes place Thursday evening, September 25, at 7:00pm and is sponsored by Midtown Auto. The Fall Lecture Series is an annual 10-week program featuring presentations on art, history, and life-sciences, with connections to Alutiiq culture.

The Alutiiq Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural traditions of the Alutiiq, an Alaska Native tribal people. Representatives of Kodiak Alutiiq organizations govern the museum with funding from charitable contributions, memberships, grants, contracts, and sales.