by SWAAG
The Steel Salmon & Raven Dinner and Auction returned with maximum attendance at a fun-filled evening on October 8th at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. The Southwest Alaska Arts Group (SWAAG) was able to hold this annual event for the first time in two years. In January 2022, the Kuskokwim Art Guild and the Bethel Council on the Arts merged to become SWAAG and the Steel Salmon is one of the major events offered annually along with the Cama-i Dance Festival.
This year there were 19 Steel Salmon & Ravens up for auction with Moses Tulim’s piece titled Ircenrraq, Little People, Return of the King Salmon, made from driftwood and ivory raised the highest bid of $2,200. The other amazing artists were: Addy Peters, Elizabeth Roll, Susan Richards and Friends, Emily Berryman, Haylee Keller, Reyne Athanas, Anne Kosachef, Jennifer Lent, Paul J. Dhaemers, Teresa Cotton, Ashley Dade, Litsa Scott, Juanita Sosa, Victoria Sosa, Mandy Sorg, and John Oscar.
In addition to the live auction there was a silent auction with donations from many local artisans and craftspeople. Two stand out donations were a Nasqerrun (headdress) made by Golga Quki Oscar, and ivory and beaded earrings made by Taylor Malone. The dinner, an Italian feast, was prepared by Chef Pam Conrad, with cupcakes made by local baker, Katrina Domnick.
The Bethel community is known for being generous and willing to volunteer to make events like this a success. SWAAG would like to thank all of those who put their money down to support “The Arts” in Bethel. Volunteers are the backbone of each event SWAAG hosts.
Time is a precious commodity and this year’s JV’s, Olivia, Amy, Lucinda, Nia, and Andrew were invaluable with their assistance. As were the optometry interns. The BHS wrestling team worked as servers and raised funds for their team through tips. Shorty Salzbrun donated the steel and the time it took to cut out each piece, and has done so every year. The event could not happen without his long standing donation. Tracey Wilbanks decorated each table with beautiful handmade centerpieces. Thank you to SWAAG board member Paul Conti for playing guitar during dinner, Julie McWilliams for running the cashier stand and Stacey Reardon for bartending. Shane Iverson came back as the MC and auctioneer with help from the multi-talented artist and host, John Oscar.
The outstanding generosity of the patrons of the arts who attended the auction raised $15,000 for SWAAG programs. These funds will go towards hosting future live performances such as: Just Desserts, local talent show on November 4th, the K-300 concert on January 28 with the Anchorage rock-n-roll band the Jangle Bees, the Cama-i Dance Festival on March 24-26, native arts classes with master artists, the summer youth art camps, scholarships for youth and adults, the SWAAG gift shop at the cultural center and of course, operating costs such as staff and rent.
If anyone is interested in participating in or volunteering for any of these events please contact SWAAG’s Executive Director, Laura Ellsworth at [email protected] or email [email protected].
