Ilanka Native Artists Consortium
Gloria Cunningham Gloria Cunningham grew up in Naknek, Alaska where she learned skin sewing and beadwork from her mother. She creates stunning fur apparel, beadwork,and hand crafted dolls and bears. Her work is well-known by artisans and collectors throughout the state of Alaska. Gloria shares her expertise in Ilanka craft workshops, where she teaches a variety of skin sewing classes. This year she will teach particpants how to create authentic Athabascan slippers. Click here to see more of Gloria's work. |
The Ilanka Native Artists Consortium is a special project of the Ilanka Cultural Center in Cordova, Alaska. The Consortium helps artists gain access to raw materials, provides educational opportunities, and coordinates cooperative marketing efforts. Our bartering program helps artists acquire enough raw materials to start up their own cottage industry. The raw materials cache houses items such as smoked moose hide, sea otter and seal pelts, silver smithing supplies, wool, spruce roots for weaving, and a variety of wood for carving. These items are available for purchase to consortium members. Throughout the year, Ilanka hosts educational workshops that help artists learn how to better market their items, gain financial literacy skills, and understand business. Ilanka’s unique bartering program assists artists who would like to initiate their own business. An artist may propose a project and apply to receive an advance of raw materials. With staff assistance, artists develop a plan to repay a set dollar amount or to help replenish the raw materials cache. By pooling resources, we are able to market our items in print media as well as the world wide web. Artists have the opportunity to sell their crafts in the Ilanka Online Store or in the Gift Gallery. Membership benefits include:
For more information about the Ilanka Native Artists Consortium, contact mary@ilankacenter.org. |
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