Renowned Northwest Coast artist and Pagosa Springs resident Clarissa Rizal passed away on Wednesday, December 7 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 60.
Clarissa was born in Juneau, Alaska, in 1956. She was a highly respected cultural leader and a multi-talented artist who contributed to the revival and perpetuation of Chilkat and Ravenstail ceremonial blanket weaving. She educated scores of students in Chilkat, Ravenstail and button robe techniques. Clarissa was also a painter, printmaker, fashion designer, collage artist, sculptor, illustrator, musician and landscaper. Earlier this year, she was the recipient of a 2016 National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Her robes and artwork received ‘Best of Show’ at the Heard Museum Indian Art Fair, the Santa Fe Artists Market, the Anchorage Museum All Alaska Juried Art Show, and the Sealaska Heritage Invitational Art Exhibit.
She leaves behind children Kahlil Hudson and his wife, Mikiko Ellis, along with their daughter Violet; Lily Hope and husband Ishmael Hope and their children Elizabeth, Louis, Mary and Ella; Ursala Hudson and Husband Chris Haas and their daughters Amelie and Simone. She is also survived by her siblings Richard, Tim, Irene and Deanna Lampe.
A potluck to honor and celebrate Clarissa will be held on Saturday, December 17 at a friend’s residence. Please visit Clarissa’s website www.clarissarizal.com/blog/ for venue address and further event details.
A celebration of life will take place in the summer of 2017 in Juneau, Alaska.