James Heaton

James Heaton is a well known and respected carver. He began his career at Alaska Indian Arts (AIA) in Haines where he used the documented and photographic resources of AIA to learn the art of the Northwest Coast. He has carved over 200 feet of totem poles, primarily using traditional tools. Heaton was commissioned by the Haines Borough Public Library for panels honoring all seekers of knowledge, as well as the Anthropology Department of Golden State University, San Francisco’s and Florida’s Sea World for the Northwest Coast section in their permanent display, “The Art of the Killer Whale.” His work has been in temporary exhibitions around Alaska as well. Heaton has pieces in the collections of the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center in Haines, the North Pacific Rim People’s Museum in Hokkaido, Japan and in private collections around the world. Heaton teaches Northwest Coast style art at the University of Alaska.