Andrew Gronholdt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Gronholdt
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Andrew Gronholdt holding a chxuusi-x
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| Born | August 26, 1915 Sand Point, Alaska, Popof Island, United States
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| Died | March 13, 1998 (aged 82) Edmonds, Washington
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| Education | Self-taught |
| Known for | woodworking, chagudax-carving |
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Notable work
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"Chagudax: A Small Window into the Life of an Aleut Bentwood Hat Carver" 2012 |
| Movement | Reviving Aleut Bentwood Hat Carving |
| Awards | Shareholder of the Year, Aleut Corporation, 1989 |
| Elected | Board of Directors, Shumagin Corporation, 1972-1974 Board of Directors of the Aleut Corporation, 1977-1998 |
| Patron(s) | Aleut Corporation, Shumagin Corporation, Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage Museum |
Andrew Gronholdt (born August 26, 1915 – died March 13, 1998) was a famous Aleut artist. He was from Sand Point, Alaska, located in the Shumagin Islands. Andrew Gronholdt became well-known for bringing back the ancient Unangan art of carving special hunting hats called chagudax.
In 2012, a book about his life and work was published after his death. It was titled "Chagudax: A Small Window into the Life of An Aleut Bentwood Hat Carver." Gronholdt was famous for his woodworking skills, especially how he steamed and bent wood. He also created amazing ways to teach others his craft.
Contents
Who Was Andrew Gronholdt?
Andrew Gronholdt was born on August 26, 1915. His birthplace was Sand Point on Popof Island in the Shumagin Islands. His father, Niels Peter Gronholdt, was from Denmark. His mother, Anna Dushkin, was from a small Aleut village called Belkofski. This village was on the south side of the Alaska Peninsula. The ancient Unangan people lived in Belkofski for thousands of years. The community closed around 1980, and most people moved to King Cove.
His Early Education
Andrew started elementary school in Belkofski. He finished grade school in Sand Point. After graduating from eighth grade, his formal schooling ended. However, Andrew loved to learn and explore. This desire taught him new things for the rest of his life.
On January 21, 1942, Andrew married Elisabeth Z. Rodgers in Unga. They had one child together.
What Are Chagudax?
Andrew Gronholdt lived in Sand Point among several Aleut tribes. Here, he began to create chagudax. This is the ancient Unangan word for "hunting visor." These visors were based on the detailed designs of his ancestors. They were maritime (sea) hunters.
Gronholdt would carve pieces of wood into thin shapes. Then, he would steam the wood. After steaming, he carefully bent the wood over special molds. This created the unique shapes of these old bentwood hats.
Reviving an Ancient Art
Andrew Gronholdt started researching how to build these hats in 1985. He believed that making these bentwood hunting hats was a very important part of the old Unangan culture. So, he traveled from Sand Point to other communities. He taught this lost art to many people.
Gronholdt taught at schools in Sand Point and Unalaska. Today, his students continue to teach chagudax at Aleut cultural camps. These classes are very popular and often fill up quickly. Students love the chagudax they make. They take them home feeling proud of their culture. These hats are a symbol of ancient Aleut traditions.
Importance of the Chagudax
The chagudax was a key part of the Unangan sea kayaker's gear. It was worn during hunting and battles. Imagine seeing many Aleut men in their kayaks. They would be fully dressed in battle uniform with their chagudax. Their kayaks would be covered with sharp spears. They were very accurate with these spears from far away. This sight would scare enemies. It would also bring excitement to Aleut women. People who saw them agreed that an Aleut in his full gear and kayak looked very handsome and majestic.
Gronholdt's visors are now displayed in important collections. You can find them at the Anchorage International Airport. They are also at the Unalaska City School, the Shumagin Corporation, and the Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Association.
Andrew Gronholdt's Other Skills
Andrew Gronholdt was also skilled at building wooden boats. He made wooden pumps called chxuusi-x. These pumps were used to remove water from iqyax. An iqyax is an Aleut sea kayak made with a skin-on-frame design.
Community Involvement
Gronholdt believed it was important for Aleut people to get involved. He thought they should share their ideas to help their communities. He served on the Board of Directors for the Shumagin Corporation from 1972 to 1974. He also served for over 21 years on the Board of Directors for the Aleut Corporation. He held several positions there from 1977 to 1998.
Passing on Traditions
In September 1989, Gronholdt became an instructor. He taught at the Institute of Alaska Native Art's "Bending Tradition" program. This program was full of creative energy. His area of the woodworking shop became known as "Aleut Corner." Many bentwood hunting visors were created there.
Okalena Patricia Lekanoff-Gregory is an Aleut artist from Unalaska. She was one of Gronholdt's most active students. She has taught classes throughout the Aleutians and the Northwest United States. At the start of her classes, she always tells her students about Andrew Gronholdt. She also displays a portrait of him next to her carving table. It is an important Aleut value to honor Unangax elders.
In 2011, Lekanoff-Gregory worked with the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center. They made a video called . In the video, she explains how bentwood hats are carved, steamed, and bent. Lekanoff-Gregory also proudly shares that she learned chagudax from Gronholdt.
His Legacy Lives On
Andrew Gronholdt passed away on March 13, 1998, in Edmonds, Washington. He was 82 years old. He was buried next to his wife Elisabeth. Since his death, some of his former students have continued to teach his methods.
His legacy of building chagudax continues today. Instructors at Aleut culture camps use the forms and tools he built. They teach new generations about the brave warriors. These warriors defended their villages while wearing these unique hunting visors. The Aleut Foundation also offers the Andrew Gronholdt Scholarship Award. This award helps Aleut students who are studying the arts.
