Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers smiles while on stage at the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony in May. Ehler’s was bestowed a honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts during the event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers smiles while on stage at the 2023 University of Alaska Southeast commencement ceremony in May. Ehler’s was bestowed a honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts during the event. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Juneau master Chilkat weaver Anna Brown Ehlers named Rasmuson distinguished artist

Multiple Southeast Alaska artists recognized by the foundation earlier this week.

At just four years old Anna Brown Ehlers already knew she was destined to become a Chilkat weaver.

“It’s all I ever wanted to do, I used to dream about it when I was little,” she said in an interview Friday morning.

Now as an adult, Ehlers — who was born and raised in Juneau — is known across Alaska and the nation as one of the few master Chilkat weavers that exist today. On Wednesday she was named the Rasmuson Foundation’s 2023 Distinguished Artist, an honor paired with a $50,000 award to recognize her accomplishments and dedication to the craft. She received the top award from the foundation, alongside 36 other Alaska artists who received recognition.

Chilkat weaving is known as one of the most complex weaving techniques in the world and in recent years was considered to be an endangered art practice, according to the Sealaska Heritage Institute. The process of the iconic Indigenous art form is not only learning the skills to create a piece, but also obtaining the materials traditionally used, mountain goat wool and yellow cedar bark, is extremely intricate and time-consuming.

Ehlers recently spent over a month harvesting yellow cedar bark for upcoming projects before she was named with the honor earlier this week.

“The best time to get the yellow cedar bark is two weeks after the herring have finished spawning,” she said. “That’s when the sap is the lowest.”

Ehlers said she is grateful for the award, and what its support means for her mission to share and grow the craft to the next generation of artists. She’s received many awards and accolades throughout her decades-long career, including being named a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow in 2017, and recognized by the University of Alaska Southeast with an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts, an honor bestowed to people in the community who exemplify a significant and lasting contribution to the university, to the state of Alaska, or to the individual’s discipline or profession.

“I am insanely grateful that I was born where I was, when I was, into this culture — I’m lucky to represent our people,” she said. “This is going to help me to continue in my work, absolutely. It’s going to help me greatly and I didn’t think it would ever happen.”

Ehlers recalled the moment she first saw a Chilkat robe and the impact it had on the trajectory of her life. The robe was worn by her uncle, Roy Brown, during a Fourth of July parade in 1969.

“When I saw it as my mom was holding my hand, I almost felt like bubbling over, you know, because I was like, ‘Oh, that’s so beautiful. I want that. I like that,’” she said.

Though she was drawn to the craft at a young age, it wasn’t until later in life did she fully commit to it as her life’s work — a decision that came with a lot of sacrifices, but one she said she has never regretted. She said being an artist is just something that’s in her blood.

“The entire family does art — we’ve got totem pole carvers, jewelry makers and moccasin makers. I teach people Chilkat weaving and there’s a lot of people in our family that are doing the art,” she said.

That’s one of her goals after more than 30 years of doing the craft — to continue to share her knowledge with young artists as her late teacher, Jennie Thlunaut, did for her.

“I feel like my responsibility is Jennie who told me ‘I’m not going to leave you without my knowledge, I’m going to pass it on’ and so that’s what I have done since 1985,” she said. “I’ve taught at workshops at heritage centers, I’ve demonstrated in the Smithsonian Institute, New York Museum of American Indian, Los Angeles County Museum. So many other places.”

Multiple other Southeast artists were honored with Rasmuson awards alongside Ehlers. Artists who receive awards include Robert K. Mills, of Kake, who received a $25,000 fellowship award toward a one-year project to work with Kake residents, the Forest Service and mill owners to construct Kake’s first traditional Tlingit tribal house in more than 100 years.

Shgendootan George, of Angoon, received a $25,000 fellowship award toward a one-year project to create a series of four dance robes in distinct styles — Ravenstail, button blanket, cedar bark and Chilkat — to tell the history of the 1882 Navy bombing of Angoon.

Juneau multimedia artist Lyndsey Brollini, and poets Mistee St. Clair and Emily Wall were awarded $10,000 project awards granted to “support emerging, mid-career and established artists in specific, short-term projects.”

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.

More in News

The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Encore docks in Juneau in October, 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ships in Port for t​​he Week of Sept. 23

Here’s what to expect this week.

A person departs Bartlett Regional Hospital on July 26, a day after a board of directors meeting raised issues about the hospital’s leadership and quality of care, with then-CEO David Keith resigning a week later. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
New Bartlett CEO has lots of experience with mergers, transitions as hospital confronts struggles

Meanwhile former CEO still getting paid for post-resignation ‘transition’ despite leaving the state.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Former Coppa Cafe co-owner Marc Wheeler and current owner Maddie Kombrink smile for a picture at the downtown cafe Wednesday morning. Last week the cafe celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
‘It’s a wonderful milestone’: Coppa Cafe celebrates a decade of service in Juneau

Ten years is just the beginning, says current and past owners.

Ian Worden addresses Bartlett Regional Hospital’s board of directors via Zoom during a meeting Tuesday night where he was subsequently hired as the new interim chief executive officer. He is expected to begin the job within a month. (Screenshot from Bartlett Regional Hospital video)
Bartlett Regional Hospital, during unusual board meeting, makes yet another interim CEO hire

Longtime Seattle-area executive unanimously chosen as hospital’s third leader in past two months.

Lt. Krag Campbell with the Juneau Police Department smiles for a photo Tuesday evening outside of City Hall. Campbell is one of two finalists seeking the chief position at the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Juneau officer seeking department’s top spot says 21 years in community an asset

Lt. Krag Campbell one of two finalists for chief of police.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat who became the first Alaska Native in Congress a year ago, discusses issues and adjusting to the national political scene on Sept. 8 as part of a three-day visit to Juneau. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A year after surprising victory, Peltola a popular target in Congress

Spending 9/11 with Biden, being top target of GOP now part of job while dealing with family matters.

Most Read