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James Johnson’s ‘Bear Tunic’ tops honors among seven winners of Juried Art Show and Competition at Celebration
- Mark Sabbatini
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Juneau-born Tlingit artist wins four awards for tunic, plus another for his ‘Sea Otter Bowl’; six other show artists and four youth artists also honored at ceremony
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
Thirteen was a lucky number for Tlingit artist James Johnson, who won the Best of Show and three other awards during a ceremony Thursday announcing the winners of the 13th biennial Juried Art Show and Competition as part of this year’s Celebration.
Johnson, a Juneau-born member of the ´Ch’áak’ Dakl’aweidi (Eagle Killerwhale) clan, states on his website he specializes in Tlingit formline design with a focus on traditional wood carving. His "Bear Tunic" in this year’s competition, in addition to the top award, also won Best of Formline, Best of Division: Sewing, and Best of Skin and Fur Category: Sewing.
A second entry by Johnson, "Sea Otter Bowl," also won first place in the Carving and Sculpture Division.
Accepting the Best of Show award for Johnson, who wasn’t able to be at the ceremony, was Andrew Hamilton, curator at The Art Institute of Chicago. He said four of Johnson’s works are in that museum’s collection before reading a statement provided by the Tlingit artist.
"To be a Tlingit artist is a gift," Hamilton read. "This gift was given to me by my ancestors. They placed this in my hands for a reason. I'm carrying this gift throughout my lifetime. Then, when is my time, I'll pass it on to the next. We are all part of this together. I'm thankful."
"There's nothing more beautiful than what you're seeing on this stage here at Celebration. I'm so proud of everyone. I'm proud to be Tlingit. The youth are such a driving force. They're powerful, they're our future. We have to support and encourage them the best that we can. You cannot always take and take and take. Our way of living is balance. You have to give. I'll be donating all the money from these awards back to Sealaska’s Native Youth programs."
A comment from the jurors about "Bear Tunic" read during the ceremomy stated "from the first Zoom meeting to look at the pieces submitted I was impressed with the quality of design and painting. It also touches both the idea that tunics like that are ancient, as well as can be part of the 2026 regalia."
Six other artists were honored in the show hosted by Sealaska Heritage Institute, with the show’s entries on display at the Nathan Jackson Gallery in the Walter Soboleff Building until Dec. 4. Three young artists were also honored in SHI’s seventh biennial Juried Youth Art Exhibit, with entries for that on display at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center until June 26.
"We see in the artwork that's being made today the amount of dedication and years of hard work of the people who kept our art going in the years that it was being oppressed with our languages, with our cultures as our people went through so much suffering," said X̱’unei Lance Twitchell, who presided over the ceremony, just before announcing the Best of Show winner. "I really look forward to a time when the intense suffering of colonization is a distant memory and we know that our languages are safe, our arts are safe, the weaving, the carving, the drawing, all these things that take a lifetime to even begin to understand how to do."
Other first-place Juried Art Show winners announced by SHI include:
• Greg Frisby, Best of Contemporary for his 2D relief carving and painting "Eagle Mother."
• Bill Pfeifer Jr., Best of 2D and Relief Carving Division for "Wrestling Match."
• Kaasteen Jill Meserve, Best of Weaving Division for "Seal Spots Waist Robe."
• Lyndsey Brollini, basketry category for "Kigwáay."
In addition, Karl L. Hoffman won second place in Formline "Vest for Gaad Gaas," and Patrizia Fiorella received an honorable mention in the Carving and Sculpture Division for "Woodworm Dreams."
Youth show winners announced by SHI include:
• First place: "Tsimshian Portrait Mask" by Elizabeth Anderson, Metlakatla High School.
• Second place: "Tsimshian Female Portrait Mask" by Stella Dixon, Metlakatla High School.
• Third place: "Twined Hat with Raised Diamond Design" by Aurora Scott, Ketchikan High School.
• Honorable Mention: "Transforming Eagle Naxnox" by Elizabeth Anderson.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
