Norman G. Jackson is of the Tongass Tlingit of southeast Alaska and was born in Ketchikan, Alaska. His lineage is from his mother who is of the Tongass Tlingit Kaats Hit Bear House of southeast Alaska. His father is Kaagwaantaan Tlingit of Klukwan, Alaska.
Norman studied at the Kitanmax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art in Hazelton, B.C. and received advance training in design and carving. He also received training in metal engraving from the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan.
He is a recognized Master Artist in metal engraving by the Alaska State Council on the Arts Master Apprentice Grant and has received numerous honors for his excellence in wood carving. He apprenticed with Master Artists, Dempsey Bob and Phil Janze, and has been invited numerous symposiums on Northwest Coast Native carving. Norman's work is held in major collections, and his work has appeared in exhibits in the US and abroad.
"My style is Tlingit style. It's bold and round. I try to keep it to the traditional level of Tlingit art. It is spiritual, and it has to fit together with the history and the dance. The dance has its connection with the art. If the public understood the art, then everybody would understand our people. That's why I learned that you have to share the art."
Norman G. Jackson
EDUCATION
1986 - Certificate in Advanced Carving and Design, Kitanmax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art, Hazelton, B.C.
1985 - Certificate in Basic Carving and Design, Kitanmax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art, Hazelton, B.C.
1982-91 - Advanced studies in Northwest Coast Native Art: Wood Carving, Metal Engraving, Tool making, Design, Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska.
TEACHING POSITIONS
1992 - Ketchikan, Alaska - Instructor, Southeast Island School District. Taught wood carving and drawing to 1st-12th grades. (Two weeks).
1989-91 - Ketchikan, Alaska - Open Workshop Instructor, Totem Heritage Center.
1989-90 - Ketchikan, Alaska - Teaching assistant, Totem Heritage Center. Silver engraving, carving, regalia design.
APPRENTICESHIPS
1990 - Phil Janze - Metal Techniques.
1989 - Vern Stevens - Carving, Metal Engraving, Design.
1988-89 - Phil Janze - Metal Engraving, Wood Carving.
Apprenticed with Dempsey Bob.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2007 - Rasumuson Foundation Individual Artist Project Award
2004 - Second Place, 83rd Annual Santa Fe Indian Market: Carved Raven Spirit Mask.
1991 - Invited participant, The Drum in Northwest Coast Native Culture, Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska: Professional drum making and drumming symposium led by George David, Esther Shea and Guujaaw.
1991 - Invited participant, S' aaxw, Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska: Professional carving symposium led by Marvin Oliver.
1991 - Recognized Master Artist in metal engraving for Alaska State Council on the Arts Master Apprentice Grant.
1991 - First Place, Native Arts, Ketchikan Arts and Crafts Guild Show, Ketchikan, Alaska: Cedar Halibut Hook.
1990 - Scholarship recipient, Klukwan, lnc., to study metal techniques under Phil Janze.
1990 - Invited participant, island Carvers 11, Totem Heritage Center, Ketchikan, Alaska; Professional carving symposium led by Bill Holm and Jack Hudson.
1989 - Grant recipient, Alaska State Council on the Arts Master/Apprentice Grant to study under Vern Stevens.
EXHIBITS
2009 -"Raven's Time" at Steinbrueck Native Gallery, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
2009 - "Of Myth & Mask: The Art of Storytelling" at Steinbrueck Native Gallery, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
2008 - "Totem Story - Life and Art of the Northwest Coast Indians", at Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples, Abashiri, Hokkaido, Japan
2006 - "MANAWA" at Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Maori Moon Mask.
2004 - "TOTEM TO TURQUOISE" at American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y. U.S.A.
2003 - "KIWA" at Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Spirit of the Spawning Sockeye Mask.
1995 - U.S. Forest Service, Southeast Alaska Visitor Information Center, Ketchikan, Alaska. Nine small carvings from yew wood, alder and yellow cedar: Soap Berry Spoons (4), Frontlet, Halibut Hook, Halibut Club, Carved Bowl.
1989 - "A Treasured Heritage" Institute of Alaska Native Arts, Statewide traveling exhibit.