Many of you know who John Hoover is and can spot his style of artwork from the Seattle or Anchorage airports to the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington DC.

Born in Cordova, AK in 1919 John’s artwork has been influenced by myths, stories and legends of Native cultures throughout Alaska and the Northwest Coast. He has spent his life commercial fishing, skiing, clam digging, and working with his hands creating new and exciting artwork for all of us to enjoy.

I have many memories of the house in Edmonds, WA where he spent countless hours in his studio upstairs with the sounds of Jazz on the radio and the smell of sawdust in the air as his creations would come to life.

We spent 9 months in Santa Fe New Mexico where he was a Teacher in Residence at the Institute of American Indian Arts and I remember him bringing back beautiful futons from the Philippians where he also went to teach. Dad has been many places and seen many things but I think his favorite place is where he lives now, on Pickering Passage where he and his wife Mary listen to jazz on the radio and the Loons on the water below, relaxing on the sun filled deck. Wish I was there!!

On May 1, 2011 the University of Alaska, Anchorage recognized his lifetime achievement with the title of Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts. Way to go Dad!