Ronald Senungetuk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ronald Senungetuk
Born	1933 Wales, Territory of Alaska
Died	January 21, 2020 (aged 87)
Nationality	Iñupiaq
Education	Rochester Institute of Technology
Known for	sculpture, jewelry, painting
Movement	Alaska Native art
Awards	Fulbright Fellowship

Ronald Senungetuk (pronounced sə-NUNG-get-uk) (1933 – January 21, 2020) was an Iñupiaq artist from Wales, Alaska. He was known for creating beautiful art, mostly using wood and metal.

Ronald Senungetuk's Art Journey

Ronald Senungetuk was a talented sculptor (someone who makes art by shaping materials) and silversmith (someone who makes things from silver). He was famous for his art that showed animal figures in new and interesting ways.

He went to school at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Sitka, Alaska. Later, he studied at the School for American Craftsmen at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned his degree in 1960. Ronald Senungetuk also received a special Fulbright Fellowship. This allowed him to study art in Oslo, Norway. He and his wife, Turid, who was also a skilled silversmith, lived in Homer, Alaska.

Senungetuk started teaching at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1961. He created their program for making things out of metal. He also led the university's Native Art Center. While teaching, he taught students about modern ways of making jewelry. He also encouraged new and creative ideas, and respect for traditional Native art. Even though he was Iñupiaq, he preferred to be known simply as an artist. He once said, "I'd rather be an artist who happened to be Inupiat."

His artwork was shown in many places. These included the Anchorage Museum, the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Native Medical Center in Anchorage, and the Pratt Museum in Homer.

His daughter, Heidi Aklaseaq Senungetuk, is a musician. She also studies music from different cultures.

Learning from a Master

Ronald Senungetuk taught many students who became artists themselves. One of his notable students was:

• Abraham Anghik Ruben

Senungetuk working on a large wooden sculpture for the Denali Visitor Center. This art piece shows a giant bird called a Tingmeaqpuk. It is part of a big border around a model at the visitor center. The artwork represents the western part of Alaska.

Awards and Special Honors

Ronald Senungetuk received several important awards for his amazing artwork:

• 1979 State of Alaska Governor's Award for the Arts
• 2008 Denali National Park Artist-in-Residence (meaning he was invited to create art at the national park)
• 2008 Rasmuson Foundation Distinguished Artist Award

See also

• Alaska Native art
• Inuit art