FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 1999

ALUTIIQ MUSEUM HOSTS DOLL EXHIBIT

The Alutiiq Museum hosts, “Dolly Spencer: Inupiaq Doll Maker” a
traveling exhibition organized by the Alaska State Museum in Juneau.
The exhibit opens February 19, 1999 and continue through September 10,
1999.

The eight dolls in the exhibit are dressed in traditional style, from
their mukluks to their parka ruffs. Even their bodies are made of
traditional material – skin stuffed with fur and sewn with sinew.  The
portrait faces are carved from birch wood.

Spencer uses a variety of furs and skins to make the costumes, relying
on what was traditional. Fisher Woman, for example, wears a parka of
halibut skin, used for its waterproof qualities.

The show includes dolls modeled after three well-known Alaskans, dog
sled racer Libby Riddles, Nome pioneer Carrie McLain and Native leader
Howard Rock.

Spencer, who lives in Homer, grew up in the Kotzebue area, where she
learned sewing from her mother, Grace Mendenhall. She also studied with
Lena Sours and Ethel

Washington, the famous Kotzebue doll maker whose style of dolls, using
carved birch heads and authentic costumes, Spencer adopted. Washington
and Sours are credited with originating this style of doll making.
Spencer is now the living master of this art form.

The exhibit is coming to Kodiak with assistance from Alaska Airlines.
You can view the exhibit at the Alutiiq Museum located at 215 Mission
Road.  Winter hours are Tuesday-Friday from 9 to 5 and Saturday from
10:30 to 4:30.
###
--
Christine R. Marasigan, Programs Manager
Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository
215 Mission Road, Suite 101
Kodiak, Alaska 99615
voice:  (907) 486-7004 ext. 7
fax:  (907) 486-7048
email:  [log in to unmask]