Meet the Maker: Donald Johnston

Join artist-in-resident Donald Johnston (Qagan Tayagungin), featured artist in Native Arts in Miniature, in conversation with curators at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures to discuss his creative practice, personal history, and artworks’ connection to his culture. Johnston will also demonstrate traditional basket making using the material of baleen, the filter-feeder system in the mouths of bowhead whales.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to view Native Arts in Miniature. Light refreshments will be available.

About the Artist

Donald Johnston (Qagan Tayagungin) is an innovative baleen basket weaver, one of the few such artists working today with this challenging material from the mouths of bowhead whales. Born and raised in Alaska, Johnston’s baleen baskets of varying sizes have been recognized with top awards at major shows like the Heard Museum’s annual Indian Fair + Market and at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and most prestigious art market for Native works in the world.

Image credit: Baleen Basket, 2023, Donald Johnston, Qagun Tayagungin

Schedule

1-2:15PM—Demo
2:30-3:30PM—Conversation
4:00PM—Museum closes

This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund; the Henry Luce Foundation; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Tepa Companies; Travois; and a generous anonymous donor.