Chilkat Weaving Classes & Apprenticeships
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Clarissa received the honor to teach Chilkat weaving to Jennie Thlunaut's granddaughters in 1989 and has since continued to teach weaving to aspiring Native women with workshops and apprenticeships in Southeast Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia and Colorado. Although Clarissa continues to teach Chilkat weaving, as of January 2007, she no longer teaches beginners. She is focusing on assisting her past weaving students in their projects and continues to conduct workshops for women with weaving experience. Chloe French, one of Clarissa's apprentices, has accepted the position of teaching Native women who are beginners in the art of Chilkat weaving. You may reach Chloe at: chloefrench@comcast.net

Length of Chilkat weaving workshops and apprenticeships vary. Workshops are generally 2 to 3 weeks; apprenticeships are at least 1 to 3 months. Contact Clarissa if you are interested in sponsoring a class for a group of weavers or for yourself.

In December 2005, Clarissa self-published "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat Weavers' Handbook. This practical handbook provides Chilkat weavers of all experience levels pertinent information gained from Clarissa’s apprenticeship in 1986 with the last traditional Chilkat weaver, Jennie Thlunaut; combined with Clarissa’s experiences as a weaver and a teacher of this traditional art form, with additional information from Jennie’s daughter, the late Agnes Bellinger. Most of the information in this handbook can also be applied to Ravenstail weaving. With black & white, color photos and drawings, some of the information includes: Jennie’s astounding fingering technique (for speed, accuracy and tension), her philosophies, traditions, values and tricks-of-the-trade, Clarissa’s story of her apprenticeship with Jennie, preparation of materials and supplies, natural & commercial dyeing, weft color samples, list of suppliers, designs and descriptions; and, keeping with traditions, some of the information is shared with a touch of storytelling. This handbook is intended for use by either an experienced weaver who is seeking some additional information in Chilkat weaving, or utilized as a supplemental guide with a weaving instructor. The handbook is available through classes with Clarissa, through classes with Clarissa's apprentice, Chloe French, and also available by way of direct contact with Clarissa in artist markets, exhibits and at Celebration.

Contact Clarissa if you are interested in hosting a Chilkat Weaving Class for Native women with Chilkat weaving experience.

Past Chilkat Weaving Classes and Apprenticeships
2007 Chilkat Weaving Class, Angoon, AK
2006 Bev Morris, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs, CO
2005 Chloe French, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs, CO
2005 Julia Sai Carlson, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs, CO
2004 Vanessa Morgan, Chilkat weaving Apprenticeship, Pagosa Springs,CO
2003 Chilkat Weaving Apprencticeships Inter.Class, Juneau, AK
2001 Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships Inter. Class, Juneau, AK
2000 Beginner’s Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
2000 Beginner’s Chilkat Spinning, Juneau, AK
2000 Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering, Albert Bay, B.C., Canada
2000 Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering, Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada
1999 Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering, Sitka Historical Center, Sitka, AK
1999 4-Corner’s Weavers’ Convention, Pagosa Springs, CO
1999 Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering, Juneau, AK
1997 Chilkat Weavers’ Apprenticeships, Namgish Tribe, Alert Bay, B.C.
1996 Chilkat Weavers’ Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
1995 Ann Smith, Donna Cranmer, Suzi Williams, Advanced Chilkat Weaving Apprentices, Pagosa Sp., CO
1994 Beginner’s Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
1993 Chilkat Weavers’ Gathering, Hoonah, AK
1993 Chilkat Weaving Demo, Artist-On-Board, Alaska Marine Highway
1992 Suzi Williams, Jeanette Tabor, Jean Lampe, Darlene See, Chilkat Weaving Apprentices, Juneau, AK
1992 Louis Light, Diane Light, Phoebe Warren, Vivian Stevens, Chilkat Weaving Apprentices, Juneau, AK
1991 Louise Dangeli, Arlene Dangeli, Helen McCormick, Chilkat Weaving Apprentices, Juneau, AK
1991 Beginner’s Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeships, Juneau, AK
1990 Intro to Chilkat Weaving, Sha-Tan Tours, Whitehorse Y.T., Canada, class held in Klukshu, Y.T.
1989 Jennie Thlunaut’s Granddaughters, Intro to Chilkat Weaving, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Haines, AK

Read Chilkat Valley News article on Jennie Thlunaut's Weaving Class, March 1985

Photo: Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeship Class, Juneau, Alaska, July 2003
Left to Right: Liana Wallace Young, Clarissa Hudson, Shgen George, Jean Lampe, Yarrow Vaara, Elaine Etukeok, Pam Credo-Hayes, Darlene See, Catrina Mitchell, Pat Walker

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Apprenticeship with Jennie Thlunaut

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