Barbara Lavallee artistic jewelry
Barbara Lavallee artistic jewelry
A world-renowned artist, Barbara Lavallee has lived in Alaska for over fifty years, celebrating the traditions and culture of its indigenous people with her art. Born in 1941 in Iowa, Barbara grew up in Wisconsin. Her mother was an art teacher, and the girl followed in her footsteps. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and taught art to the Alaska Natives for several years.
Her interest in Alaska Native culture is evident in her work. Paintings, prints and jewelry designs reflect the unique world of the Alaska Native people – women, children, cats and their daily activities.
Interesting and unusual are the brooches made by Artique, Ltd based on Barbara’s drawings depicting the inhabitants of Alaska. These are stylized women, men, animals – bizarre, lively and always dressed in bright colors, made in colorful enamel.
Founded in 1971 in Anchorage, Artique Ltd was the first gallery in Alaska to represent artists in the marketing of their work. The company ceased to exist in 2016.