ABOUT THE METAL ARTS GROUP ARTISTS 

 

Metal Arts Story   Our story began during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1885, when our founder struck gold. Soon after, he established a jewelry company, specializing in the rich and unique imagery of Northwest Coast native art. Over the years, the company produced some of the finest jewelry and sterling ware made in the country. Today, we continue to offer some of the finest native-themed jewelry found anywhere. Our handcrafted originals reflect the accord between man and nature. We carry Celtic designs in our collection as well, which harmonize beautifully with our coastal art. And, we will continue to introduce new lines, expanding our horizons as we pursue the fine art of jewelry making.

Jody Bergsma is an internationally acclaimed artist who creates designs combining nature and historical symbols. Her creations are sought after by collectors worldwide.

Barry Burger is an accomplished jewelry artist residing in the forests of Northern Idaho. Mr. Burger's designs were inspired while living and hiking the vast northern regions of Alaska.

Richard Dalton III is originally from Hoonah, Alaska. His heritage is half Tlingit Indian from Alaska and half Navajo from New Mexico. Mr. Dalton was born into the Raven moiety and of the T'akdeintaan clan, belonging to the Frog clan. Most of Mr. Dalton's designs depict images of the Raven side of his heritage.

The Celtic Lady a.k.a. Susan Zalusky became interested in the artifacts of the Dark Ages, and in particular, the illuminated manuscripts designed by monks while studying art history at Loyola Marymount University. While designing printed circuit boards she became fascinated with the pathways between components. This, coupled with Irish ceili dancing, has inspired the Celtic Lady's drawings of Celtic knotwork which has been around for over 5000 years.

Danny M. Dennis is a native Gitksan from the village of Kitwanga. From the Tsimshian tribe, and self-taught, he has been producing Northwest Coast art since 1978 in a variety of media including metal, ivory and silk-screen prints in the Tlingit style.

George Estrella was a long-time resident of Ketchikan, Alaska. The inspiration for his work is directly related to the environment in which he lived. The relationship between man and nature found in the Northern landscape and Alaska is the foundational influence in his designs. He now shares his time between the Northwest and Alaska.

Kathleen Faulkner is an accomplished jewelry artist living in Anacortes, Washington. Her TRAX line of animal track jewelry was first inspired while she was living in the wilderness in Alaska.

	Joan Ferrier began her artistic career in Northwest Coast native art in 1973, being influenced by Duane Pasco and Joe David. Having studied under Bill Holm, she is also known for fine works in ceremonial masks, bent wood boxes, bowls, drums, and prints.
	Judy Frisbie is a master sculptress and is considered one of the top jewelry designers in the Northwest. Her designs are meticulously detailed and alive. Ms. Frisbie's designs are collected and sought after worldwide.
	Jeanne Gamble creates art that reflects the beauty and mystique of native Alaska. An adopted Tlingit of the Dog Salmon crest of the Raven Clan, Ms. Gamble strives to show the strength, grace and pride she sees in the native culture that surrounds her.

Everett Goenett was a Tlingit artist. He was influenced by other great Northwest Coast native artists such as Odin Lonning. Mr. Goenett was an accomplished wood carver of totem poles and masks. Mr. Goenett passed away in 1994 but his work lives on through our collection.

Tresham Gregg lives in Haines, Alaska, where he was raised among the Tlingits. In later years he became a founder of the world renowned Chilkat Dancers. Mr. Gregg has fine art galleries in Southeastern Alaska.

Barry Herem is a Seattle artist who has worked in formline (Northwest Coast Native) styles for more than 30 years. Besides jewelry, his work appears in steel, bronze, cast paper, wood, acrylic, fabric and in print throughout the Northwest and around the world. He has created many large works for corporate and private clients and art commissions. He is also a writer, photographer and lecturer who travels extensively by canoe throughout the Inside Passage during the summer.

Robert P. Hewson is an accomplished Tlingit artist known for his contemporary and thought-provoking work. Mr. Hewson resides in the Pacific Northwest after living may years in Alaska.

Aleasa James is a young Native American artist who developed her artistic style while living in Southeastern Alaska studying under Tlingit carver Gerald T. James of Auk Bay, and Tsimshian artist/carver Eli F. Milton of Metlakatla.

Odin Lonning is a Tlingit native of Juneau, Alaska and has been influenced by other great local artists such as Lincoln and Amos Wallace. Mr. Lonning also works extensively with woodcarvings, totem poles and masks.

Tracy W. Powell is a self-taught carver living near the Lummi Indian Reservation in Anacortes, Washington. He produces fine masks, paddles and plaques. His interests are mainly in Salish designs.

Kayla Shadow is a very sensitive artist who sees beauty in all of nature. To quote Ms. Shadow, "The shadow is the earth spirit that watches over and protects all living creatures. As we pass on and leave the earth, so do our shadows fade to darkness. My shadow jewelry art is a tribute to all earth's creatures so they may remain alive in our hearts and souls forever".

Jesse Valentine began her studies of Haida art at an early age and soon found she had a feel for the style. She prides herself on creating exact detail in each piece she designs. Ms. Valentine divides her time between Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

Amos Wallace is a noted Tlingit carver and member of the Raven Clan and started carving in 1938 at the age of 18. He has carved many totem poles that still stand today at museums across the United States. For the past 30 years Mr. Wallace has served as president-elect of the Alaska Native Arts and Craft Association and still works in many mediums including silver, prints and wood. Mr. Wallace is one of the most prolific and famous Alaskan artists living.

Bill J. Wilson was Tlingit Chief of the Choo Ka Na Dee Clan. He was born at Dundas Bay, Alaska in his parent's fishing camp. Raised in Hoonah, where he was a fisherman, trapper and hunter all of his life, he learned the art of carving totem poles and engraving bracelets from his father, Jacob. In the 1940's, with the encouragement of his wife Elsie, he began to take his engraving seriously and his pieces became highly sought after by national dignitaries such as Mrs. Mamie Eisenhower. Mr. Wilson has since passed away but his art continues to live on through our collection.

Frank Woll has dedicated himself to the creation of fine art prints, architectural sculpture and graphic design for commission in the unique tradition of Northwest Coastal form and line design. Mr. Woll's translation of contemporary technologies in printmaking, sculpture and architectural illustration to the visual vocabulary of ancient design techniques create evocative visions to elegantly and deeply engage the viewer.