In a rare collaboration between artist and conservator, Sitka carver Tommy Joseph is helping theAnchorage Museum preserve his own artwork.

Artist at Work: Tommy Joseph

• When: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, June 5-7 and

                      1 to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 9-10

• What: A behind-the-scenes sneak peek for visitors to the Anchorage Museum. Visitors are encouraged to observe and ask questions as Tommy Joseph does conservation work on a totem pole he carved in 2000.
• Where: Anchorage Museum, 625 C St.
• How much: Included with museum general admission: $15 adult, $12 Alaska resident adult, $10 student/senior/military, $7 child, free ages 2 and younger

While at the Anchorage Museum this week, Joseph will help conserve a 10-foot-tall red cedar totem pole. The black, red and green carvings feature a human, a raven and the sun. Alaska grocery store ownersLarry and Wilma Carr commissioned the totem pole from Joseph and installed it on their lawn in 2000.

In 2012 after Wilma Carr died, the family donated a substantial gift of Alaska art to the Anchorage Museum, including this totem pole and paintings by Alaska masters such as Sydney Laurence and Fred Machetanz.

The pole is in fair condition, but after more than a dozen years of exposure to the natural elements, the artwork needs to be cleaned and stabilized. Once conservation work is complete, the totem pole will be displayed in the Anchorage Museum.

Joseph, also known as Naal xák’w, is a Tlingit artist whose totem poles are on display from England to New Zealand. His resume includes totem pole conservation work for the National Park Service.

“When the maker of an object is involved, we have the opportunity to learn the artist’s techniques and approach the preservation from multiple viewpoints,” said Monica Shah, the Anchorage Museum’s director of collections. “The artist can drive the work and aesthetic.”

RELATED PROGRAM

Smithsonian Spotlight: Tommy Joseph

Noon Thursday, June 5

Tommy Joseph speaks about Tlingit battle dress and his study of Alaska Native anthropological collections at national and international museums. Included with museum general admission.

ANCHORAGE MUSEUM

The Anchorage Museum is the largest museum in Alaska and one of the top 10 most visited attractions in the state. The museum’s mission is to share and connect Alaska with the world through art, history, science and Alaska Native culture. Learn more online at anchoragemuseum.org.

SPONSORS

This program is supported by the Anchorage Museum and the Rasmuson Foundation Collections Management Grant, distributed by Museums Alaska.

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