About the artist

Kenneth “Kelly” White is Tlingit of the Teikweidi (Bear Clan) and Tantaa Kwaan (Tongass Tribe) and was raised by the Sanyaa Kwaan (Cape Fox Tribe). He is largely a self-taught carver, using books and images to enhance his skills along with the occasional guidance from other master carvers such as 2009 Distinguished Artist Nathan Jackson. Kelly explores different ways of using technology to teach and encourage younger generations to participate in cultural traditions.

2021 Fellowship Award

White will invest in equipment allowing him to share stories of his traditional experiences of storytelling, dancing, carving and drawing. White will make videos of carvings and also create 3D models to use for reference and educational purposes.

2023 IAA necklace

Each year, Rasmuson Foundation invites a prior-year Individual Artist Award recipient to create unique, hand-crafted necklaces for the current year awardees. The 2023 necklaces were carved by White. The Distinguished Artist Award necklace is a paddle made with yellow cedar painted with traditional Pacific Northwest Coast colors. The Fellowship Award features a lovebird design made from maple plywood. The Project Award, also of maple plywood, is a bird wing design. The necklaces contain early 1900s authentic fine vintage Czech crystal, Russian blue and red glass and African trade beads.

Artwork samples