Events for Apr. 07, 2024

One of few designers of dancing blankets, her finger-twined, adapted formline, ceremonial Chilkat dancing blankets take years to complete. They document inheritance; weavings recording history like a book woven in yarn; a lineage of weavers, our nation’s current crises, and political issues. She learned Ravenstail weaving from her late mother Clarissa Rizal, and Kay Parker, both of Juneau. She also apprenticed for over a decade in Chilkat weaving with Rizal who, until her untimely passing in December 2016, was one of the last living apprentices of the late Master Chilkat Weaver, Jennie Thlanaut. She teaches both finger-twined styles extensively in person (and virtually since COVID-19), in the Yukon Territory, down the coast of SE Alaska, into Washington and Oregon. She also demonstrates internationally and offers lectures on the spiritual commitments of being a weaver. 

Committed to co-creating as her mother was, she’s constantly looking for ways to collaborate with other artists, often spearheading multi-community projects, or managing huge campaigns, like the Weaving Our Pride project and The History & Future of Yeil Koowu, highlighting over 20 indigenous artists and bringing these artforms to the forefront. She’s also a paper collage artist, bead-worker, indigenous fashion designer, and native storyteller.

Her work is collected by Smithsonian Renwick Gallery, Burke Museum, Museum of Nature and Man (Germany), The Eiteljorg, Alaska State Museum, and in the private collection of Jeffry Gibson, Bob & Rita Moore, and a dozen other museums and private collectors. 

Lily lives in Douglas, Alaska, with her five children.

Give your beloved folk art a new home by donating to the fabulous Folk Art Flea.  Friends of Folk Art (FOFA) are accepting donations of gently used decorative art, ethnic clothing, and jewelry throughout the year. Please call the Friends of Folk Art (FOFA) information line at 505-476-1201 or send an email to friendsoffolkart@gmail.com to arrange a pick-up or delivery time. Donations are tax deductible and benefit educational programs and exhibitions at the Museum of International Folk Art.

Drive-thru donation days will be Saturday, April 6 & Sunday, April 7 and Saturday, April 20 & Sunday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop off is located behind the Museum of International Folk Art. FOFA volunteers will accept your folk art and present you with a tax deductible receipt.

For questions, please email friendsoffolkart@gmail.com