Folk Arts - Master Artist - David Boxley

David Boxley. Photo by Fritz Dent.

David Boxley, of Kingston, Washington, is a master of Alaskan Tsimshian design and carving. Without any formal teaching, David studied in museums, looking at the art of his people and striving to achieve the same style. Regarded as a vital bearer of Tsimshian culture not only as a carver, but also as a leader and linguist of the native language, David’s work is featured in private and public collections around the world. Boxley grew up in Metlakatla, Alaska, where he learned his Tsimshian heritage from his grandparents, who raised him. He mostly taught himself to carve, but also received some instruction from fellow Tsimshian artist Jack Hudson and non-native artist Duane Pasco. He has been carving for twenty five years, and is now an internationally recognized artist, with work exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. He also has some articles in the private collections of heads of state in China, Japan, and Europe. Boxley has taught extensively, and believes that to share one’s heritage is to save it.

As a recipient of a 1999 Apprenticeship grant, Boxley taught Jerome Jainga Tsimshian design, traditional carving, bentwood box techniques, mask design, and basic pole carving.

Jerome Jainga is a longtime friend of David Boxley. Jerome is also Tsimshian, sharing David’s desire to restore and revive the culture they share. Both master and apprentice lead Tsimshian dance groups, and Jerome intends to use the carving skills he learned to create traditional masks for his troupe. With the knowledge he gains, Jerome will complete a Bachelors of the Arts in Native Studies, and use his art to encourage native art and culture in others.

As a recipient of a 1997 Apprenticeship grant, Boxley taught Joyce Troyer Tsimshian totem carving.

Joyce Troyer is a Tsimshian artist. Troyer attended a workshop taught by Boxley in 1987, and since then has dedicated herself full time to learning this art form, resigning from a government position she held for twenty-one years. As one of the few women carvers in her community, she believes she has a unique perspective with which she infuses her work. Troyer focuses on female figures in Tsimshian mythology, who are seldom represented. Joyce fulfilled a lifetime dream by carving a mask and dancing it to life at a traditional ceremonial potlatch. Her next goal is to carve a totem pole from start to finish and to raise it at another potlatch. Her hope is that by working with Boxley, she can learn more about her own heritage, tell its stories by sculpting the characters into totem poles, and thus pass them on.

As a recipient of a 1996 Apprenticeship grant, Boxley taught Michael Halady Northwest Coastal design histories, stories, and dances that accompany the carved pieces. Boxley focused his carving teachings on colorful animal forms carved into totem poles, masks, rattles, bowls, and boxes.

Michael Halady is a descendant of Chief Sealth. At the time of the Apprenticeship application, Michael was the only Duwamish carver in his tribe. Before meeting Boxley, he used books for instruction as he practiced his carving in his garage. At the completion of the apprenticeship Michael had began work on a totem pole. Michael is committed to working with his Duwamish community to cultivate interest in traditional carving.