Ronna Myles-Era

Medium: Weaving, Jewelry, Rattles

My family is originally from Naknek but have lived in many places. I grew up in Washington state and currently reside in Los Angeles, CA. Making art connects me with my mother and my heritage. It is an opportunity for me to slow down and enjoy the experience and process of creating. Each piece means something unique to me and I spend a lot of time trying to bring out the personality in each item.

I use mixed media, natural and synthetic, but I prefer to use natural fibers. I weave baskets, pendants and earrings. I also make bull kelp rattles.

I learned to weave from my mother Vickie Era. I first learned to weave with Cedar (Makah style) then moved to Alutiiq style weaving. I grew up foraging beach grass with my mom and grandmother, Anna Benson. I have always collected rocks, driftwood and grasses.

I learned to make kelp rattles almost by accident! I found my first bull kelp while exploring Fossil beach on Kodiak island. I filled it with pebbles and knew that I couldn’t have been the first person to find this amusing and aesthetically interesting. I then became a bit obsessed with bull kelp and when I found them at home on Orcas island, I started working with these gifts from the sea.

Over the past few years I have been learning our Alutiiq language and I have found myself continually thirsty to learn and know more about our people. This journey makes me feel connected with my heritage and plays a large part in shaping my artwork. I am excited to continue to learn and hope that I will be able to give back what I have learned to our community at large.