Duane Pasco Artist

Duane Pasco was born on May 14, 1932, and raised in Alaska and Seattle. He is a highly regarded Native-style artist and teacher of Northwest Coast art, in particular a key contributor to reviving the 'Ksan style.He has been professionally active since his first gallery showing in 1966, working in both carving and two-dimensional formats. In 1967, he took a leave of absence from his then-employment for a steel-construction company, in order to move beyond what he describes as making "curios" and pursue art education full-time. He again made a major change in approach in 1976. At both these times, he was heavily influenced in his artistic development by the writings and works of artist and historian Bill Holm. He has taught classes at many universities and schools in Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, notably the Gitanmaax School of Northwest Coast Indian Art ('Ksan), where he influenced artists such as Walter Harris. He is a friend and associate of Nuu-Chah-Nulth artist Joe David.His carved totems are publicly viewable in Seattle at Occidental Park and Seattle Center, and in Sitka, Alaska at Sitka National Historical Park.He is a speaker and expounder of Chinook Jargon. In the early 1990s he published the bi-monthly Tenas Wawa newsletter in Poulsbo, Washington, where he continues to live.