Al Charles, Jr.

Al Charles, Jr  

Weńanūá  

Salish art form is a beautiful powerful spirit  

that is created in a mirror image of the one bringing it to life.  

Al Charles Jr is a Lower Elwha Klallam tribal member and the son of Alfred Charles, Sr (Lower  Elwha Klallam Tribe) and Adrianne Charles (Lummi Nation) and the grandson of Foster and  Irene Charles (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe) and Floyd and Issabelle Warbus (Lummi Nation).  He is married to Tillie Jones (Tulalip Tribes) and they have four children: Syrille, Silas, Nolan,  and Ellis.  

Al is a dedicated traditional artist who embodies the belief that his work conveys important  teachings about Coast Salish tribal culture and history. His art mediums are wood carving,  illustrations, prints, fine jewelry, metal, and glass. Al is highly respected and beloved for his  dedication to be of service to Tribal communities far and wide. One of Al’s most admirable  qualities is his constant vigilance to give back, and he is fondly recognized for doing what he can  do with art to instill strength, beauty, inspiration, and integrity throughout our Tribal  communities.  

Even more enduring about Al is his commitment to learn the ancestral knowledge of Coast Salish  peoples, apply what he knows to endeavors large and small, and share what knowledge he gains  to teach younger generations to do the same. He is a consummate student and wonderful teacher  that enjoys the life-long learning process of receiving teachings through visiting and hearing  teachings of family relationships, songs, dances, worldviews, philosophy, natural environment,  plants, animals, ancestors, ceremonies, rituals, gathering and processing natural materials,  language, culture, history, and more. Many of the teachings Al has received are recorded and  documented in his wood carvings, illustrations and prints, metal work, glass work and fine  jewelry. Everything that Al is a part of bringing to life has a name and a purpose, as we all do,  and his work can be found in collections throughout the world.  

So many people have been influential in Al’s life, and he raises his hand to all of his teachers that  conveyed a deep love and dedication to Coast Salish form, style, and function. Canoe building;  Brothers, Richard Mike and Chucky Mike of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe shared ancient  teachings associated with building, bring to life, caring for, and maintaining ocean-going canoes.  The late Dale James of the Lummi Nation taught Al the intricacies of wood sculpture carving and  being able to “see” the image that would come to life. The mentoring received from Aunt Joyce  Tommy of the Lummi Nation, Duane Pasco of the Jayhawk Institute and the late Jake Jones,  Eddie. Charles of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe deepened Al’s appreciation for and skill at  carving. Gerald Paul, Jr. of the Squamish Nation, freely provided profound insights and  advanced techniques for jewelry engraving.