Ray Hudson & Gert Svarny discussing slide images
of weaving from the Smithsonian's collection.

The Museum of the Aleutians took its first step into major exhibit planning in November by hosting a gathering of Aleut/Unangan weavers in Unalaska. With the financial help of Keybank and the Aleutian Arts Council, we brought experienced weavers from the region together with Ray Hudson, a former long-term resident and published author on Unangan weaving, to discuss weaving and plan the "definitive" exhibit about this exquisite form of weaving in grass. By the end of the week, the group had written a Project Statement, outlining the exhibit, a catalogue and possible tour, along with a range of related activities to further the understanding and practice of this art.

Ray Hudson & Mary Turnpaugh, Ray is holding a work
in progress on its wooden form by Titiana Zaochney
from Atka. Bunches of grass from Atka on the table,
also small basket by Sharon Kay.

The week-long gathering was extremely stimulating for all involved; Ray began by taking us on a slide tour of Unangan weaving collections in the United States and elsewhere, and then led the discussions. The slides began discussions about stitches and methods, the use of color and other materials and raised questions about how much is actually missing from our knowledge of Unangan weaving. Discussions ranged across a wide range of topics, which included deciding who the audience would be for such an exhibit, how the material should be organized, and determining the criteria for the selection of works. It was decided that a standardized terminology should be established and that much information needs to be gathered now before it is lost, such as techniques for grass collection and preparation

Group of baskets on display during the afternoon
session open to the public. Baskets by Titiana
Zaochney (Atka), Ray Hudson and Sharon Kay (Una).

The Museum will be contacting museums and collectors to begin discussing the exhibit and its related activities, and the possibilities for loans. This project will take a number of years to plan and bring to fruition, but promises to be most interesting along the way as the group also decided it was necessary to establish a weaver's association. There will be a newsletter and regular workshops to build skills and knowledge, so keep checking the website for details.

Session open to the public - left to right: Sophie Sherebernikoff,
Ray Hudson, Rufina Thompson, Mary Turnpaugh, Suzi Golodoff,
Sharon Kay, Titiana Zaochney, Kathy Grimnes.

Rufina Thompson looking at basket group
and grass from Atka and Unalaska.