BACKGROUND AND TEACHING

In 1972, while earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Seattle's University of Washington, the artist began carving Northwest Native American art. During his early years, he studied under Bill Holm and Duane Pasco, noted artists who have made major contributions to the revival of Northwest Indian art. In appreciation of those who shared their artistry with him during his apprenticeship, James Bender continues to pass on his craft by remaining active in the teaching of others.

• INSTRUCTION AND APPRENTICESHIP
• JAMES BENDER, ARTIST, Bainbridge Island, WA 1980-Present
• Teacher of Contemporary Northwest Coast Art and Jewelry Making.
• WOLFDANCER STUDIO / KESTRAL TOOL, Lopez Island, WA 1982-Present
• Teacher of Contemporary Northwest Coast Art and Jewelry Making.
• SEATTLE ART MUSEUM, Seattle, WA 1984
  Demonstration - Silver Engraving
• KETCHIKAN HERITAGE CENTER, Ketchikan, Alaska 1981
• Teacher of Mask Carving and Two Dimensional Design courses.
• DUANE PASCO, ARTIST, Poulsbo, WA 1973-1978 Apprentice under noted and respected Contemporary Northwest Coast Artist.
• PRIMITIVE ARTS GALLERY, Seattle, WA 1974-1977 Exclusive Rights
• EDUCATION AND TRAINING
• UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Seattle, WA Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, 1975
• UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND, Tacoma, WA School of Art, 1969 - 1971

MAJOR WORKS

Most celebrated pieces are the artist's two fifty-foot totem poles located at Victor Steinbrueck Park in Seattle's revered Pike Place Market and five totem poles at Seven Cedars Casino in Sequim, Washington. Renowned for their elegance and sensuality, the totem poles are recognized among the finest and most viewed examples of contemporary Northwest Coast Indian Art in the United States.

MEDIUMS

The artist works with a wide variety of mediums, including woods such as cedar, maple, alder, yew wood and yellow cedar; precious metals such as gold and silver, copper; and uses cedar bark, abalone, ivory, feathers, leather and mirror for accents. Also pieces created in cast bronze and aluminum.

SCALE

Pieces range in scale from silver jewelry and small ornamental boxes to large carved figures (9 to 20 feet) and extremely large totem poles, towering up to 50 feet.