Artisans Activity Group
Metini has been a place where skilled craftwork has been practiced and passed down for thousands of years by the Kashia Pomo. When the Russian American Company came to Metini and established Settlement Ross, Russian and Alaska Native peoples artisan craftwork was introduced to Metini.
Artisans have valuable skills that can enhance communities in countless ways. Artisans use their hands and a variety of tools to create items used for functional, everyday use, ceremonial purposes, as well as cultural and personal adornment.
Kashia culture includes a wealth of arts and crafts practices that respectfully utilize local flora and fauna. Abalone and other shells, as well as feathers from local birds like pelicans and red-winged blackbirds were sewn onto belts, bags, ceremonial regalia and baskets. Other important Kashia handcrafts include processing animal hides for clothing, blankets and bags and making rope or cordage from local plants. Kashia basketry is renowned for being among the finest throughout the world.
In many Alaska Native cultures, art and decoration played an important role both aesthetically and spiritually. For example, Alutiiq people painted and carved their hunting tools, created beads from the natural materials around them like shells and bone to make intricate jewelry and headdresses for ceremonies and special occasions. Alaska Native people were forced to hunt, build ships, blacksmith and provide other skilled labor for the settlement’s benefit.
“Alutiiq garments were more than attire. They were pieces of artwork that expressed the identity of their owner and talismans that demonstrated the close spiritual connections between people and animals” - from the Alutiiq museum Cultural Arts page. In your research, you will have the chance to see Alutiiq artisans craft these intricate beaded headpieces and jewelry and you may choose this as a main project for your group. More practical skills include making oil lanterns and processing plants for cordage.
During the Russian era at Metini / Fort Ross (1812-1842), there were carpenters, metalsmiths, shipwrights, and more. Artisans had a variety of skills that were both practical and artistic. For example, fine ocean-going ships were built by the Russian and Alaska Native settlers in Fort Ross’ Sandy Cove. The first altar fixtures for the Sonoma Mission were made by craftsmen at Ross. Mariano Vallejo relied upon Fort Ross blacksmiths in the early years of the Petaluma Adobe.
The Artisans Activity Group may choose to practice the fine arts such as sketching or watercolor; or fiber arts such as weaving, spinning, needlework; or other crafts working with wood and metal. Listed below are a number of project options, please choose a few for completion in the classroom as well as a few to complete on site. Artisans should be mindful to practice a skill or project representative of the Kashia, Russian and Alaskan Native peoples' cultures.
Artisans Classroom Preparation –
Research the tools that a particular artisan would need to do his or her job at Metini / Fort Ross.
Critical Thinking Questions:
Research traditional arts and crafts used at Metini / Fort Ross. Can you find modern examples of someone practicing these crafts in the community where you live?
Are these artists using modern or traditional equipment and materials? How does this craft differ from what was practiced at Metini / Fort Ross?
What tools would an artist, woodworker, blacksmith, cooper, shipwright, tailor, or other craftsperson use?
Are there some crafts that are common to all groups - Kashia, Russian and Alaska Native peoples? How are these crafts done differently by each group, or what are their similarities?
Try to imagine a community without artisans. What would life be like for people within this imagined community?
Classroom Project Ideas - see below for more project links
- Learn to embroider, weave, or spin.
- Stencil head scarves, hats, aprons, or tablecloths.
- Design patterns for painting spoons or boxes.
- Craft a leather pouch in the classroom to embroider and bead while at Metini / Fort Ross
- Make an Artisans activity group banner
Here’s a list of equipment the program provides for the Artisans –
- Coping saw
- Blades
- Auger bits
- Hand plane
- Hammers
- Wooden mallets
- Handsaws
- Nail puller
- Hand drills
- Draw knives
- Odd chisels
- And more…
Artisans Classroom Preparation and Onsite Activities –
General Information, Rules and Expectations – Please read through this carefully
Artisans Onsite Task List – An essential list of your tasks and responsibilities
Artisans Russian Lacquerware Projects – Instructions for these projects
Artisans Bench Project – Instructions for this project
Artisans Lamp Projects – Instructions for this project
Artisans Cordage Project - Instructions for this project
Artisans Dentalium Shell Earings - How-to for making Dentalium earings inspired by Alutiiq designs
Artisans Wreath Project – Wreaths are popular decorations in many cultures. Gather local foliage and flowers to create your own wreaths, work as a group to make a large one or assemble smaller individual wreaths. Check with the Farmers & Gatherers for tips on foraging. You can also offer your wreaths to the Cooks to decorate tables for meal time at Metini / Fort Ross
Night Watch – Each activity group gets to experience a night watch, if your teacher chooses to include!
Items to Bring – A list of items to bring…Check it twice!
Artisans Additional Information –
Brief History & Walking Tour – Learn about the history, buildings and grounds of Metini / Fort Ross
Alaskan Native Alutiiq Garments – More information about how Alaska Native Alutiiq people adorned their clothing with embroidery