chris wassman

In 1996, Chris and Kathy Wassman made a life changing decision. It was shortly after their son’s first birthday & the announcement of their second child that they decided they wanted to be work-at-home parents. Since that moment, Chris has been a dedicated advocate for his family’s business, making its’ success a priority second only to the happiness of his wife & children. Raised by artists, Chris has always had a love and talent for crafting, and found his place in the business by hand-turning beautiful hardwoods into a variety of vessels and bowls, and single-handedly producing ___ out of Homestead’s 157 products. He has an eye for dynamic color and humble perfection, and every piece he creates has a story worth sharing. As a natural talent, a storyteller, and a family man, Chris Wassman is a light whose unmatched work ethic has guided his family dutifully, always with love and endless laughter.

kathy wassman

From the founding of Wassman Art-Effects in 1997, to the opening of their beautiful Taiya River Arts gallery, Kathy Wassman has been an inspiration to her business, fellow artists and family. She is an artisan of the intricate, and it shows in the meticulous crafting of her “New Tribe” macrame necklaces, the careful finish of her carved ivory pendants and the striking stylistic choices that single-out her jewelry sets. Using this talent for detail, Kathy created Taiya River Art’s first true sterling silver pendant line, a series of four totemic carvings meant to symbolize Alaska’s seasons, which have since become a best-seller. As an artist, she is always exploring her medium, and into her home and business life brings these qualities of creativity and positive change.

Donna wassman

Donna Wassman is a boundless talent, as her skill set can adapt to every challenge. From the age of eleven, Donna knew she wanted to be an artist. At 20 years old, she moved with her one-year old son, Chris, from Illinois to California, not knowing which road would take her there but understanding her future lay in the West. There, she attended the University of San Diego for art, found her niche as a watercolor artist, and eventually, met her future husband, wood & ivory carver, Tim Wassman. Upon their union, Donna fell in love with Tim’s choice of medium, and quickly learned the trade by his side. She has since expanded Wassman Art-Effect’s repertoire to include her lovely paintings of the Alaskan wilds, ivory sculptures and jewelry, and continues to push her skills even now with classes on how to make bronze casts of her carvings. Needless to say, Donna Wassman’s passion for art, love of learning, and fiery dedication to her family is an inspiration to all who know her.

Tim Wassman 

 Tim Wassman, patriarch of the family & father of Wassman Art-Effects, began his art career at 17, using interesting and unusual pieces of wood he found in the forest to create functional sculpture and jewelry. By his early twenties, he was working with talented carvers around southern California, and after marrying his artisan wife, Donna, in 1979, became a craftsman in earnest. Since then, they have sold their artwork to over thirty Alaskan galleries, opened two of their own, and have had showings from Beverly Hills to Manhattan. In ____, they were invited onboard the Silver Shadow, a prestigious cruise ship that is the floating home to priceless works of art, to sell their families sculpture and jewelry to art-collectors around the world. Over the last thirty years, together, Tim and Donna have done the impossible: become renowned, Alaskan artists with two generations of family at their support, and stayed in love through it all. 

Zack wassman

SON ​

ZOE wassman

DAUGHTER ​

Looking for something? Check out the online stores of the other local artists we consign!

Candace Cahill

www.thomascahilldesigns.com

Candace Cahill is a silversmith and local, Skagway jeweler. 

Tessa Franz

https://www.instagram.com/bagsley.frealy

Whether Tessa is sewing, painting, taking photos, drawing, sculpting, baking, playing her cello, or climbing a tree, she has very little time for idle hands. 

Courtenay Birdsall Clifford

With two artists for parents, Courtenay got an early start in the arts and has played with various subject matters and mediums throughout the years.

Jessica Medlin

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZenlemonArts

Jessica enjoys working with natural materials and finding beauty in small details. Her art is inspired by the life she lives here, simple and adventurous.

Annemarie Hasskamp

www.glacialnaturals.com

Glacial Naturals is the culmination of 30 years of dreaming, creating, and practicing the are of natural product manufacturing. Every recipe is unique; sculpted by life and time, much like the glaciers and forests that surround Annemarie in Skagway, Alaska.

debbie ackerman

Debbie's studio, Translucent Treasures, creates autonomous panels, lampshades, sun-catchers and unique commissioned work.
​"All that glitters isn’t necessarily gold...sometimes it’s glass!"

www.tidaldriftak.etsy.com

​Tamar works full-time as an artist and silversmith out of her small home studio under the business name of Tidal Drift. She integrates natural materials sculpted by the elements used in combination with numerous other mediums to create both large and small sculptures. 

Cori giacomazzi

www.etsy.com/shop/lillithmoon

Using her love of color and texture, travel and adventure, an interest in multicultural and historical textiles, and a passion for unique fashions, Cori started creating my own lines of wearable art, accessories, and quilt patterns many years ago in Skagway, Alaska.