Crystal in front of ALASKA AIRLINES XÁAT KWÁANI AIRCRAFT Photo by Charles Tice
Crystal Kaakeeyáa Rose Demientieff Worl is Tlingit Athabascan from Raven moiety, Sockeye Clan, from the Raven House. She is Deg Hit’an Athabascan from Fairbanks Alaska.
Crystal works in printmaking, painting, and public art. She practices the recreation and modernization of her Clan’s stories and Raven stories from home. Her work explores the relationships and bonds between her people, the land, and the animals. Crystal recently completed a 3-year apprenticeship with Robert Davidson studying Tlingit and Haida design as it applies to apparel, regalia and painting/2D work. The apprenticeship has given her a stronger understanding and foundation for classic formline design.
Crystal Worl earned a BFA and AFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her education also includes Pilchuck Glass, Kiln-Formed Glass and Public Art. She completed a residency at the Sealaska Heritage Institute, Juneau and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. She is the recipient of several awards, including Koahnic Broadcast Station- Emerging Artist, Alaska Native Artist Spotlight and Alaska Federation of Natives, Lu Young Youth Leadership Award. Select exhibitions include the Juneau- Douglas Museum; Ketchikan Museum; and IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Art, Santa Fe. Her work is held in the collections of the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh; Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle; and Pratt Museum, Homer. Crystal has several public art installations in Alaska including a design on the side of an Juneau’s Capitol City Fire Rescue ambulance, a steal cut medallion installed downtown Juneau, and most recently a 60 foot by 25 foot mural of Tlingit activist Elizabeth Peratrovich on Juneau’s downtown library building.
Today Crystal lives in Juneau, Alaska working as a co-owner and co-designer of Trickster Company with her brother Rico Worl. Trickster Company promotes innovative indigenous design focused on the Northwest Coast art and exploration of themes and issues in Native culture. (www.trickstercompany.com) Crystal is currently serving a 5- year seat on Sealaska Heritage Institute's Native Artist Committee. She is one of six highly qualified advisors to review programs and provide guidance on the institute's art projects and mission to elevate Juneau to a Northwest Coast arts capitol.
Photo by Konrad Frank
Artist Statement
Tintype Photo by Kali Spitzer
My Tlingit name is Kaakeeyaa. I am from Raven moiety, Sockeye Clan, from the Raven House. From my father's side I am a child of a Thunderbird and from the Chilkat region in Southeast Alaska. From my mother’s side, I am Deg Hit’an Athabascan from Fairbanks Alaska. I live in Juneau as co-owner of Trickster Company with my brother Rico. Trickster Company promotes innovative indigenous design focused on the Northwest Coast art and exploration of themes and issues in Native culture. In 2013 I earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Jewelry Metals and an Associate’s of Fine Art in Moving Images from the Institute of American Indian Arts.
As co-owner of Trickster Company, I am deeply committed to promoting innovative indigenous design, particularly focused on the vibrant traditions of Northwest Coast art. Our endeavors encompass a wide spectrum, from apparel and regalia to graphic design and public art, all aimed at exploring and celebrating themes within Native culture.
My artistic journey has been shaped by a diverse range of experiences, including a formal education in Fine Art and a transformative apprenticeship with the esteemed Robert Davidson. Through these endeavors, I have honed my skills in classic formline design, delving into its nuances and applications across various mediums.
At the heart of my practice lies a profound reverence for the storytelling power of Tlingit art. Drawing inspiration from clan crests, ancestral narratives, and the natural world, I strive to weave a tapestry of cultural resilience and environmental stewardship. Through vibrant color palettes, intricate beadwork, and layered symbolism, I seek to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, creating pieces that resonate with contemporary audiences while honoring age-old customs.
My work extends beyond the confines of the studio, manifesting in public art installations that grace the streets of Alaskan communities. Whether it's designing murals, medallions, or multimedia projects, each endeavor is imbued with a sense of purpose – to spark dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for social and environmental justice.
In my role as an advisor for Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Native Artist Committee and my involvement with the Institute of American Indian Arts, I am dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Indigenous artists and preserving our cultural heritage. Through mentorship and collaboration, I hope to inspire others to embrace their ancestral knowledge while embracing the opportunities of the modern world.
Ultimately, my artistic journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of Indigenous resilience and creativity. As I continue to push the boundaries of tradition and explore new frontiers in art and life, I remain committed to honoring the past, embracing the present, and shaping a future that reflects the essence of who we are as Indigenous peoples.
Photo of Crystal and her brother Rico Worl by Konrad Frank
Resume
Education
Apprenticeship in painting and formline design with Robert Davidson 2018 - 2022
Pilchuck Glass, Kiln-Formed Glass and Public Art July- Aug 2013
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Graduated May 2013
BFA Studio Arts (Honors) & AFA Moving Images (Honors)
Exhibitions/Shows
Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, solo show, Juneau, Alaska 2021
Juneau-Douglas Museum, solo show, Juneau, Alaska 2019
Orenda Art International Gallery, group show Paris, France 2019
Rainmaker Gallery, group show, Bristol, United Kingdom 2019
Stonington Gallery, solos & collective shows, Seattle, Washington 2015- 2020
Decolonize Alaska, Bunnell Arts in Homer, Alaska, Valdez Museum, Corcoran Gallery, Alaska
State Museum, Alaska Humanities Forum 2016 - 2018
Duhesa Gallery, Colorado State University Creative Nation, Santa Fe NM 2017
Ketchikan Museum 2017
Orenda Art International Gallery, Paris, France 2016
Art in Embassies, Washington D.C./International 2015
20 Shades of Indigenous Collective, Blue Holloman Gallery, Anchorage, Marist LdM. 2015
Venice Biennale Program Exhibition. Venice, Italy 2011
Worl Studio Art Show. Santa Fe, New Mexico 2013
Museum of Contemporary Native Art IAIA BFA Show Exhibition. Santa Fe, NM 2013
Collections
2020 National Museum of Scotland - Edinburgh, Scotland
2020 Burke Museum - Seattle
2019 Juneau-Douglas Museum - Juneau Alaska
2018 Museum of Contemporary Native Arts – Santa Fe, New Mexico 2018 Pratt Museum - Homer, Alaska
Public Art
Port of Seattle, Seatac Airport Art Installation in glass, in progress to be completed in 2026
Xáat Kwáani Boeing 737 Aircraft Livery design 2023 - 2033
United States Postal Service Stamp, available as stamps in 2023 2023
Google OS and Chrome Browser page cover art (4 designs), World wide web 2022
Downtown Anchorage Mural, painted by hand and aerosols, 125’ x 48’ Anchorage AK 2022
Basketball Court Mural, 95’ x 56’ painted by hand and squeegees, Sitka AK 2022
Elizabeth Peratrovich Mural, 60’ x 25’, Downtown Juneau Library Building, Alaska 2022
Resin art panels as guard rails, Juneau International Airport 2021
Wellsfargo Debit Card Artwork, Design Studio for wellsfargo clients 2020
Seattle City Bus, ‘Set In Motion’ Henry Art Gallery, Seattle 2020
Capital City Fire Fighter Rescue Ambulance Art Design, Juneau 2020
30-foot Hand-painted Mural, Riddu Riddu Festival, Tromso, Norway 2018
Downtown Juneau, Front street and Seward street, 5-foot medal medallion inlay 2018
Employment/Boards
Trickster Company, Founder/Co-owner Since 2003
Native Artist Committee, Sealaska Heritage Institute, Juneau, Alaska 2019 - 2024
Residencies and Fellowships
Museum of Glass, Tacoma WA, Artist in Residence November 2024
La Maquina Taller Printmakers Residency, Oaxaca City February 2024
La Chicharra Taller Print Shop Residency, Oaxaca City February 2022, 2024
Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood WA, Artist in Residence August 2023
Sealaska Heritage Institute, Juneau AK, Artist in Residency 2020
First People’s Fund Artist in Business Leadership Fellow 2017
F.I.N.E. Artist, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh 2016
Internships and Workshops
Skin sewing with Robert Miller 2020
Skin sewing with Louise Kadinger 2016, 2017, 2023, 2024
Fish skin tanning with Joel Isaak 2017
Fish skin sewing with Nina Miller Heyano 2015
Gut skin sewing with Elaine Kingeekuk 2015
Apprenticeship with Preston Singletary, Tlingit Glass Artist 2015
New Mexico Experimental Glass (NMEGW) 2012
Internship Prairie Dog Glass Blowing Intern, Santa Fe NM 2012
Chilkat Weaving Apprenticeship with Anna Brown Ehlers 2012
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) Internship 2011, 2012
Tlingit and Haida Cental Council Internship 2009, 2010
First Alaskans Institute Internship, Graphic design 2008
Awards
RES Native American 40 Under 40 Recipient 2024
Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award 2020
Art in Embassies, Institute of American Indian Arts, Vice President Biden’s home 2015
Koahnic Broadcast Station - Emerging Artist, Alaska Native Artist Spotlight 2014
Alaska Federation of Natives 2012, Lu Young Youth Leadership Award 2012
Santa Fe SITE Scholar 2012
Summer Programs
Painting in China – West Virginia University 2012
Ethical Jewelers Recycled Jewelry Workshop 2011
Venice Biennale Summer Art Program Marist College Glassblowing Workshop 2011
Venice Biennale Summer Art Program 2011
Bullseye Glassworks Kiln Glass Workshop Scholarship 2011
Photo by Konrad Frank
INTERVIEWS
Alaska Business Monthly Magazine - Cover:
https://digital.akbizmag.com/issue/august-2022/
Anchorage Museum - SHARING CULTURE IS COMMUNITY: A Q&A WITH CRYSTAL WORL
NEW G STREET MURAL CELEBRATES A MULTITUDE OF ALASKA NATIVE CULTURES:
Anchorage Press - New public art project sparks discussion of history, land, and community:
Native Max Magazine - Indigenous Artist Crystal Worl Creates Public Mural in Anchorage Alaska:
On Fire In AK - Crystal’s world: Moving Alaska forward with large scale Indigenous art:
https://onfireinak.com/crystals-world-changing-alaska-via-large-scale-indigenous-art/
Daily Sitka Sentinel News:
Sapiens Magazine - Crystal Worl’s Countermural Tells a Different History of Alaska:
https://www.sapiens.org/culture/crystal-worl/
US Park Pass Interview - Meet the Indigenous Designers Behind Trickster Company, the Innovative Lifestyle Brand from Juneau, Alaska:
Amplifier - Featured Artist on Amplifier:
https://community.amplifier.org/members/crystal-worl/
Tea Collection - Native Artist Collab with Tea Collection Interview:
Rasmuson Foundation - 2020 Rasmuson Individual Artist Award:
https://www.rasmuson.org/arts/individual-artist-awards/2020-artists/
First People’s Fund - 2017 Artist in Business Leadership Fellow:
https://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/crystal-worl
RainCheck Magazine Interview:
https://raincheckmag.com/interview/crystal-worl/
Art In Embassies U.S. Department of State:
https://art.state.gov/personnel/crystal_worl/
PODCASTS
Chatter Marks EP 50 - Indigenizing public spaces with Crystal Worl:
https://crudemag.podbean.com/e/chatter-marks-ep-50-indigenizing-public-spaces-with-crystal-worl/
Art Restart - Siblings Crystal and Rico Worl Honor Tlingit and Athabascan tradition with ultra-contemporary design:
https://www.uncsa.edu/kenan/art-restart/crystal-rico-worl.aspx
VIDEOS
American Center Moscow - Alaska Documentary Screening:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTmUFOA7o4M
PowWow Nation Live - Crystal Worl Artist featured on Google Chrome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0AQcdd4URE
Sealaska Heritage Institute - Virtual First Friday Interview with Tlingit, Athabascan, and Yupik artist Crystal Worl:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYTvFvkxN2g
Sealaska Heritage Institute - Artist Life in 2020 with Tlingit Artists Crystal & Rico Worl:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FUvKM3RN9U