Alaska Shopping

Alaska Native Art is very beautiful and that spectacular state really has things to be memorized. Many visitors want to buy genuine Alaskan Native Arts when visiting on State and it has become bigger business lately. That has also brought some unfair business around. *Genuine* crafts has been made in China or Hong Kong and real Native Artist has been left without anything, not paid for their precious work. That is why I ask you to take a moment before you buy Native Arts to make sure it really is genuine That way you make a favor to yourself and the Artist.

Get written proof of any claims the seller makes for the authenticity of the art or craft item you're purchasing

Ask if your item comes with a certification tag. Not all authentic Alaskan Native arts and crafts items carry a tag. Those that do may display a Silver Hand symbol. This label features a silver hand and the words, "Authentic Native Handicraft from Alaska." The Made in Alaska emblem is another symbol you may find on some Alaskan-made products. This emblem certifies that the article "was made in Alaska," though not necessarily by an Alaskan Native.

Get a receipt that includes all the vital information about the value of your purchase, including any oral representations. For example, if a salesperson tells you that the basket you're buying is made of baleen and ivory and was handmade by an Inupiaq artisan, insist that the information is on your receipt.

Price - The price of a genuine Alaskan Native art or craft item should reflect the quality of craftsmanship, the harmony of the design and the background of the artisan. Genuine pieces produced by skilled Alaskan Native artisans can be expensive.

Type of materials - Materials often used by Alaskan Native artisans include walrus ivory, soapstone, argillite, bone, alabaster, animal furs and skin, baleen and other marine mammal materials.

Appearance - Try to pick up and examine a piece before purchasing it. Some items that appear to be soapstone carvings actually may be made of resin. Real stone is cool to the touch; plastic is warm. Stone also tends to be heavier than plastic. And a figure that is presented as hand-carved probably isn't if you see or can order 10 more like it that are perfectly uniform or lack surface variations.

If you have something to ask. This will the best place to ask something about Alaskan Native Art.
Alaska State Council on the Arts
411 West 4th Avenue, Suite 1E
Anchorage, AK 99501-2343
907-269-6610; fax: 907-269-6601
Toll-free: 1-888-278-7424
www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca

Alaska Shopping

Visiting Alaska?

Visiting Alaska?