Carving Your Clan

Mountain Iron, MN, March 20, 2024 ─ The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) is pleased to announce Carving Your Clan, a limited in-person art and culture program, will be at select libraries March 25-30. This art experience will be presented by Minnesota artist and Ojibwe educator Jeffrey Tibbetts.

Carving Your Clan blends Native American ceremony, culture and art to deliver a unique hands-on experience. During this three-hour class, participants will carve a physical representation of their choosing from stone, while developing an understanding of the Ojibwe world view.

Tibbetts' cultural values are at the forefront of his workshop. "I create a space of cultural sharing and celebration," he explained, stating he plans to start the workshop with a traditional Anishinaabe ceremony. "I have found the act of carving, in my own life, a very therapeutic and healing activity and I use my workshop to create that time and space. We learn about ourselves and each other, there's nothing better than that."

"I am excited to bring this program to our region to both facilitate an intercultural dialogue and expose the wonders of the Ojibwe culture," said ALS Legacy Program Specialist, Leah Ryan. "This workshop will be an immersive experience. Every attendee will come away, not just what they physically created, but with the intangible creation of the group."

This program is meant for those age 10 and up. Adult supervision will be required as sharp objects will be used to carve.

Programs will be held at the following public library locations:

Chisholm Public Library March 26, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Duluth Public Library- Main March 30, 1-4 p.m.

Grand Rapids Area Library March 25, 1-4 p.m.

Moose Lake Public Library March 27, 1-4 p.m.

Two Harbors Public Library March 29, 1-4 p.m.

Virginia Public Library March 28, 1-4 p.m.

This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. To learn more about ALS Legacy Events, visit http://www.alslib.info or like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/alslibinfo.

CONTACT: Leah Ryan, Legacy Program Specialist

Arrowhead Library System

Phone: 218.741.3840

Leah.Ryan@alslib.info

The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) is a regional public and multitype library system covering seven counties in the Arrowhead region: Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods and St. Louis counties. ALS provides professional support for 27 member public libraries and offers two outreach services for regional residents: the Bookmobile and Mail-A-Book.