Story Tellers: Two Friends, Two Cultures

Featuring David A Boxley and Chris Hopkins

March 24 - June 4, 2022

Main and Mezzanine Gallery

Two good friends from two very different backgrounds and cultures speak with one voice using the common language of art to tell a story that is uniquely American. 

David Boxley, First Nations Tsimshian, native to Metlakatla, Alaska, is considered the finest Tsimshian artist of his generation. David has achieved national recognition as an Alaskan Tsimshian master artist, dedicating his life to exploring, learning and sharing his rich culture and its beautiful art forms. As a result of his efforts to revive the Tsimshian culture, Boxley has been given the title of “culture bearer” by his tribe and has passed his knowledge and techniques to his sons David and Zachary, who have followed in their father’s footsteps and become talented carvers and leaders in this cultural renaissance.

Chris Hopkins is a narrative painter who has honed his craft through years of experience. Chris gained the title “The Sky King”, for his talents as a landscape painter, before transitioning to a high-profile career creating movie posters for blockbusters like Return of the Jedi and Indiana Jones. Following his award-winning career as an illustrator in Hollywood, Hopkins’ work evolved into more meaningful efforts, celebrating stories of American perseverance, both past and present, including his own Viking ancestry.

Their admiration for one another is a true lesson in allyship, founded on a mutual desire to present an authentic and unromanticized version of their cultures. Together, David and Chris will use their talents to share the stories of their unique heritage. 

From the Artist

Chris Hopkins

As children my brother Steve, and I lived not far from our paternal grandmother who would proudly proclaim her Danish ancestry. We would happily spend weekend sleep overs at her gingerbread-like house as she would read fairy tales to us and intrigue us with stories based on Norse mythologies. She would tell us , "These are our stories." On special evenings she would take out her box filled with family history. That special box contained ancient Viking family artifacts that had been handed down through not only generations but through centuries. My grandmother would tell us things that I didn't quite understand at the time, such as the Danes were the original Vikings and that the Danes were the strongest of Norsemen in political and military power. The Danes were also the fist Vikings in Scandinavia to convert to Christianity. The Danish Vikings wanted nothing more than to discover and pillage the West. This was possible due to the greater role the Danish kings played. But what we know for sure is that the Viking Age had a huge impact on medieval history and culture, of the Scandinavian countries as well as Great Britain, Ireland, and other countries in Western Europe, not to mention the modern day influence derived from their mythologies and history.

Skåll!

MADE POSSIBLE IN PART THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF:

SNOHOMISH COUNTY HOTEL-MOTEL TAX FUND 

THE CITY OF EVERETT CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION