Drew Michael
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Drew Michael
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Drew Michael

Drew Michael (Yup’ik and Inupiaq) was born in Bethel, Alaska. He and his twin brother grew up in Eagle River, Alaska.

Drew started learning carving at age 13, learning from archeologist Bob Shaw, printmaker Joe Senungetuk, and contemporary Athabascan mask-maker, Kathleen Carlo. As Drew practiced his craft and developed his own style, he also studied the craftsmanship of works by master carvers and spent many hours comparing others works with his own designs and process, searching for his own niche. He applied research to his carvings, using trial & error to grow his work into what it is today.

Drew focuses on how masks were originally used by Yup’ik people, for healing and telling stories of things unseen. Drew's work incorporates healing practices of the Yup’ik people and religious icons of European Christianity. The artist hopes to encourage people to find healing in ways that bring about balance in much the same way he has used these practices to find balance in his own life.

 

FROM THE STUDIO OF
ANDREW MICHAEL

1720 NW LoveJoy StreetPortland, OR
tel    503.318.6495
website    drewmichael.art

 

Profile
My name is Drew Michael. I was born in Bethel, Alaska, and raised in Eagle River, Alaska.  I started my art career with a class at the University of Alaska Anchorage in a carving class with Joe Senungetuk in 1997.  From there my career has developed through the study of other artist's work and my own experience in trial and error.  I have had the chance to learn from Kathleen Carlo and Larry Ahvakana in Anchorage, AK.  

My art is deeply influenced by the people and events I have encountered in my life. Currently my work uses imagery of religious iconography blended with traditional mask making with the hopes of bringing to light different ways of healing. My work is created with a focus on using new materials and combinations of mixed media.  I use carving as a form of expression, to draw understanding and compassion from within. I am constantly using new materials to broaden my work form.  
 

Experience
Solo Exhibition Stonington Gallery .................................................................................................................................Seattle, WA March 2017
Alaska Exhibition Boulogne-Sur-Mer,..............................................................................................................................France June 2016
Aggravated Organizms Transformation @ Anchorage Museum................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 1, 2016
Artist in Schools Stebbins Elementary............................................................................................................................Stebbins, AK March 2016
Solo Exhibit @ Stonington Gallery....................................................................................................................................Seattle, WA March 2016
Curated show, Our Story....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage Museum Anchorage, AK November 2015
Diaspora Group Collective Show Blue Hollomon Gallery...........................................................................................Anchorage, AK May 2015
Goodnews Bay Artist In Schools LKSD (Mask Carving)...............................................................................................Goodnews Bay, AK July 2015
Sheldon Jackson Museum Artist Residency..................................................................................................................Sitka, AK July 2015
Sitka Fine Arts Camp Carving Class................................................................................................................................Sitka, AK July 2015
Tundra Womens Coalition Teens Lead Ahead fish camp............................................................................................Bethel, AK June 2015
Tatitlek Culture Camp Printmaking)..................................................................................................................................Tatitlek, AK May 2015
St. Michaels Artist in Schools (Mask Making).................................................................................................................St. Michaels, AK April 2015
Solo Exhibit Alaska Humanities Forum............................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK February 2015
Benny Benson Secondary School Carving Class..........................................................................................................Anchorage, AK February 2015
Bellevue Arts Museum Symposium Lecture...................................................................................................................Bellevue, WA January 2015
Process Lecture Out North Contemporary Art House..................................................................................................Anchorage, AK January 2015
First Alaskans Smokehouse Gala Live Auction..............................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 99504 November 2014
First Alaskans Community Doers Conference Printing on Tees ................................................................................Fairbanks, AK November 2014
Independent Sector “Aggravated Organizms” Presentation.......................................................................................Seattle, WA November 2014
Bellevue Art Museum Knock on Wood Exhibit...............................................................................................................Bellevue, WA November 2014
Mayors Charity Ball Live Auction.......................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2014
Alaska Media Roadshow w Thompson & Company......................................................................................................Santa Barbara, CA October 2014
International Conference For Indigenous Peoples........................................................................................................New York, NY September 2014
Anchorage Museum Mask Carving Class.........................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK September 2014
Homer Bunnell Street Gallery Solo Exhibit......................................................................................................................Homer, AK August 2014
Contemporary Artist Interview Project @ Anchorage Museum....................................................................................Anchorage, AK August 2014
Taught Woodblock Printing at Alaska Native Heritage Center.....................................................................................Anchorage, AK July 2014
Solo Showcase Exhibit @ Quintana Galleries...................................................................................................................Portland, OR May 2014
Camai Dance Festival.............................................................................................................................................................Bethel, AK March 2014
Smithsonian Spotlight @ Anchorage Museum...................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK March 2014
Anchorage Community Works Solo Exhibit........................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK February 2014
Object Runway..........................................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK January 2014
Art Basel solo Exhibit...............................................................................................................................................................Miami, FL January 2014
Pupil + Paper fundraiser..........................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK November 2013
Created Awards for Smokehouse Gala................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK November 2013
Diaspora Native American Art Opening at Taproot...........................................................................................................Anchorage, AK November 2013
“Aggravated Organizms” Exhibit at Alaska Federation of Natives.................................................................................Fairbanks, AK October 2013
Anchorage Performing Arts Center art instillation.............................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2013
“Aggravated Organizms” exhibit opening at Out North....................................................................................................Anchorage, AK June 21 2013
Alaska Native Arts Foundation (Ellis Show).........................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK March 2013
Heart Exhibit at Middle Way Cafe..........................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK March 2013
State Museum Solo Exhibit Show..........................................................................................................................................Juneau, AK February- March 2013
Indiginise It! event at Alaska Experience Theater.............................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 18-19 2012
Art Opening at Pamyua's CD release at the PAC...............................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 16th 2012
National Association of State Treasurers Curated show..................................................................................................Anchorage, AK Sept 10th 2012
Native Heritage Center Workshops......................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK July 2012
KNBA 90.3FM Art Auction.......................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2012
Midnight Sun Brewery Show...................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK May 2012
Rural Cap Showcase.................................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK May 2012
Humanities Forum Showcase..................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK April 2012
One Night Stand Art Exhibition...............................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK March 2012
First Light Dillingham Workshops (Teacher).........................................................................................................................Dillinghang, AK March 2012
KSKA Public Radio Auction......................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2011
Anchorage Elders and Youth Conference donation...........................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2011
Anchorage Mayors Charity Ball Live Auction.......................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2011
Alaska Native Arts Foundation First Friday exhibit.............................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2011
KSKA Public Radio Auction.......................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2010
Crush Bistro First Friday exhibit...............................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK November 2010
Alaska Native Arts Foundation First Friday exhibit..............................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2010
Featured artist in Alaska Native Heritage Center exhibit...................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2010-Current
Virtu Gallery..................................................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2008
Shared in Elementary classroom ............................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2009, 2010
Quintana Galleries Artist Exhibit..............................................................................................................................................Portland, OR 2007-2010
Youth Carving Class, Instructor Kathleen Carlo-Kendall.....................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 1998,1999
University Art Class, Instructors Joe Senungetuk and Bob Shaw....................................................................................Anchorage, AK 1997

Awards
Alaska Native Fund grant award..............................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2014
Rasmuson Project Award beneficiary......................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK June 2012
Sheila Whyne's Studio party beneficiary.................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK May 2012

Education
Nanalleq Archaeological Dig......................................................................................................................................Quinhagak, AK August 2017
Institute of American Indian Arts Artist Residency...................................................................................………………………...............Santa Fe, NM January 2016
Burke Museum Archives Research....................................................................................…….............................................Seattle, WA April 2014
Leadership Anchorage #17.......................................................................................................……........................................Anchorage, AK 2014
Bas-relief Casting w Larry Ahvakana Alaska Native Heritage Center......................................................………………........................Anchorage, AK Feb 2012
Stone Carving with Larry Ahvakana Native Arts Foundation...............................................................................................Anchorage, AK August 2011
Portland Community College.................(Elementary Eduction).............................................................................................Portland, OR 2005-2006                     
Multnomah Bible College.......................(Bible/Theology and Elementary Education)......................................................Portland, OR 2004-2005   
University of Alaska Anchorage............(Elementary Education)...........................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2003-2004     

 

Press
Creative Alaska retrospective of Alaskan artists by Rasmuson Foundation.........................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2016
Daily Sitka Sentinel.....................................................................................................................................................Sitka, AK February 2016
Anchorage Press Article.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK February 2015
Channel 11 Artist Spotlight.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK August-December 2014
Anchorage Press “Aggravated Organizms”............................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK August 2013
Juneau Empire.....................................................................................................................................................Juneau, AK February 2013
Channel 2 Artist Special.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK February 2013
KSKA Artist Story.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK July 2012
F-Raiser.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK August 31st 2012
Art Gone Viral.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK August 31st 2012
American Hipster YouTube #23.....................................................................................................................................................August 27th 2012
National Native News(NPR).....................................................................................................................................................United States of America August 2012
Sparks and Ashes Blog .....................................................................................................................................................Chicago, IL July 2012
Alaska News Nightly(NPR).....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK July 4th 2012
Anchorage Press.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK July 6th 2012
First Alaskans Institute Magazine.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage AK June/July 2012
First Light KSKA.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, Dillingham, AK March 2012
Diaspora One Night Stand.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK March,16th 2012
Anchorage Press.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK February 2012
KNBA Art Auction.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK 2012
KSKA Public Radio Auction.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK2011
Channel 11 News coverage.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK December 2011
F Magazine.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK November 2011
KSKA news coverage.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK November 2011
F Magazine.....................................................................................................................................................Anchorage, AK October 2011

 

Exhibits/Permanent Exhibits
“Decolonize It” traveling exhibition 2016-2017
Stark Abundance exhibit @Mendocino Community College Ukiah, CA February 2016
“Dancing Bu”, “Self Portrait” Anchorage Museum Anchorage, Museum
“Hidden Mysteries”, Pratt Museum Homer, AK
“Dark Friend” Sheldon Jackson Museum Sitka, AK
“Falling Out” State Museum Juneau, AK
“My Salvation” Portland Art Museum Portland, OR
“The Show Must Go On” Performing Arts Center Anchorage, AK
“Seedling” Alaska Native Heritage Center Anchorage, AK