Cassey Rowland

Medium: Beading, Skin Sewing, Quilting, Embroidery

Alutiiq artist Cassey Rowland learned many artistic skills from her mother, Julie Rowland-Kaiser and grandmother Tina Larsen-Pestrikoff, as well as the ladies she met and worked with in Alutiiq communities. Rowland grew in Port Lions, an artsy village where she soaked up the knowledge of those around her, especially her friends Lena Amason, Kari Sherod, and Karly Gundersen. Everyone had something to teach and she listened and learned.

In addition to beadwork, quilting, and skin sewing, Rowland harvests and works with wild plants to make healing salves, tinctures, and teas.

Art kept Rowland busy as a child. Creating things was a fun activity for stormy days and a way to make gifts for friends and family. Over the years producing artwork has become her passion and she is now living Kodiak and working as an artist. Much of Rowland’s inspiration come from Kodiak Island, although three are also hints of New Mexico in her work as she attended college in the southwest.

Cassey sells her work on social media sites, at bazaars, and in the Alutiiq Museum Store. She contributes pieces to fundraisers that support cultural activities. The Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers have supported her by hosting workshops, teaching her new skills and about her heritage, bringing out her artistic abilities.