Folk Arts - Master Artist -Pete Peterson Sr.

Pete Peterson Sr. Photo by Fritz Dent.

Pete Peterson Sr. is a Skokomish tribal member and a master Salish carver. Salish Carving uses indigenous woods to create bent wood boxes and other native art forms. Near his home in Hoodsport, Washington, Pete harvests wood consciously from downed trees, preferring to work as close to the old ways as possible. Pete draws from the images and colors that the native Skokomish tribe has used as long as anyone can remember. Pete Peterson has generously guided students who sincerely wish to learn about their traditional culture. Peterson has taught over 25 people how to carve through informal apprenticeships. Peterson has influenced many more individuals through his Artist in Residence position at The Evergreen State College Longhouse.

As a recipient of a 1999 Apprenticeship grant, Peterson taught Spencer Morris a full range of activities including gathering and preparing materials for Salish style carving. Peterson also focused on teaching Morris to select native materials, made tools, and to use the tools and materials according to traditional methods. The first of many focuses was on construction of bent wood boxes.

As a recipient of a 2000 Apprenticeship grant, Peterson taught Kareem Stepetin the process for selecting and obtaining red and yellow cedar wood. Peterson also taught Kareem fine craftsmanship techniques needed for making masks and bent wood boxes. As part of Peterson’s teachings Kareem will learn valuable methods to market his work. Kareem is enrolled in the Chehalis Tribe and is also of Aleut and Nisqually descent. He has been studying bentwood cedar box construction and design with Pete for over a year. He came to Pete with a solid background in drawing, painting, and several other media. Kareem’s work has been shown in three local galleries and museums. With Peterson's guidance and encouragement Stepetin was invited to attend the June 2001 Gathering of Indigenous Artists of the Pacific Rim where he will study with some of the world's finest indigenous artists.

As a recipient of a 2003 Apprenticeship grant, Peterson taught James De La Cruz to carve in traditional Salish style, using native woods. Peterson focused on teaching James to harvest cedar, obtain carving tools, and how to begin to build a repertoire of basic carving skills. James is a member of the Quinault tribe. James hopes to carry traditional native Skokomish art into the future.

Peterson received Washington State's highest artistic honor in 2007 as the recipient of a Governor's Heritage Award.