Mrs. Morales has the following preferences:

Schools: Jennifer prefers working with older students because they can spend longer periods of time focusing on art. She likes to devote at least 1-2 hours working on a class project.  She is open to visiting all schools and has worked with all age groups.

Days: She is available Monday—Friday and would be interested in making weekly classroom visits.

Times: She can come into the classroom after 9 a.m.

Children: Her daughter, Vanessa Morales, is a freshman at Pacific High School. She  also has a lot of extended family members at Pacific High School.

Areas of Activity

Art Projects: Jennifer has experience doing the following art projects with students. She provided an estimate on how many hours it would take in order for a student to really benefit from the project.
Drum makings (7” frame—_____________):

Age Group:__________

Estimated Time Required: (1 weekend—2days)

Carving (TYPE____________):

Age Group:__________

Estimated Time Required: (1 weekend—2days)

Form Line Design (Coloring/Painting/Drawing):

Age Group:__________

Estimated Time Required: (1 weekend—2days)

Field Trips: She is willing to be an adult chaperone on field trips to the South East Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC).

Panel Discussion: Jennifer is willing to participate in a panel discussion focused on Alaska Native artwork. She is very familiar with the structural elements of traditional NW design (form line). 

Role in the Classroom

Cultural Instructor: Jennifer is very artistic. She would prefer to come into the classroom as a cultural instructor of Native artwork. She has expertise in the following area: drum making, wood carving, Tlingit design, and regalia making (e.g. leather robes, leather leggings, leather aprons).

Prior Experience: She has a lot of experience working with students. She taught art at Blatchley over a 6 week period that included 15-20 students. She also taught art design to students at Mt. Edgecumbe offering a class through the University of Alaska Southeast. Jennifer also spent one year working with students in an after school art program. And finally Jennifer also has experience working with interested teachers of the SSD. She was brought into the school to teach a two week class focused on an introduction to form line design.

Her experience working with students extends beyond the Sitka School District. She worked with students in the Anchorage school district on the elements of Northwest Coast design. And in Wrangell students were taught drum making as well as painting.

Cultural Expertise

Her artwork is on display in the following places: National Bank of Alaska, Smithsonian, Alaska State Museum, University of Alaska Southeast library, Ted Stevens International Airport, and McLaughlin Youth Center.

Mentors: Jennifer has studied under the direction of the following artists: Steve Brown, Nathan Jackson, Reggie Peterson, Stan Bevin, Nathan Jackson, Wilbur Cart, and Rick Goose.

Education and Life Experience

Education:

Jennifer was born and raised in Sitka. She attended school as part of the Sitka School District. Upon graduation from high school, she attended Sheldon Jackson where she earned an Associate of Arts degree. Her passion is artwork, as such, she has apprenticed with a number of acclaimed artists including two master carvers: Steve Brown and Nathan Jackson.

Work Experience:

Most of Jennifer’s work experience revolves around her craft. She does a lot of artist demonstrations, especially in the summer time with the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEIACC). She also travels to various art shows to sell her work. She has attended shows in the following locations: Bellingham, Seattle, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

A Brief Biography

Jennifer was born and raised in Sitka, Alaska. Her parents are Isabella Brady and the late Bill Brady. She is Kiks.adi from the X.aaka Hit, Point House.  Her family, which includes 3 sisters and 1 brother bounced around growing up. She has lived in Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage.

Jennifer has two children of her own. The oldest, graduated from Pacific High School in May 2008. Her other child, Vanessa will enter into high school starting in fall 2008.

Jennifer likes to spend her time doing art, which she describes as a labor of love. She also enjoys interacting with people, particularly spending time with youth especially when students apprentice with her. Some other activities she enjoys are: drumming, singing, drawing, and dancing. She is a member of the Sheet’ka Kwaan dancers.