| Folk Arts - Master Artist - Ralph Bennett
Ralph Bennett carved his first totem pole at age six, learning the craft from his father, Master carver John R. Bennett (Kwan Kilt Kwan). Ralph’s earliest carving experience was helping construct racks for drying salmon. He helped his father make masks, paddles, bowls, totems and fishing gear out of red and yellow cedar. Ralph learned techniques from his Alaskan tribe, the Haida, and other local carving styles. The pieces he made while under apprenticeship of his father were used in ceremonial dance and storytelling. In the recent years Ralph Bennett has been awarded internationally for his work including the 1996 Medal of Honor in Nantes, France; the Redmond Volunteer Arts Award as Advocate of the Arts in Redmond, Washington; and most recently the Governor’s Heritage Award, from the Washington State Art Commission. Ralph has had apprentices for the past ten years and is committed to sharing tribal knowledge with others.
Bennett received Washington State's highest artistic honor in 2000 as the recipient of a Governor's Heritage Award. | |||
