Skokomish Twana Native (Salish)

Totem Poles

Andy was born in 1955 in Shelton Washington.  He is a member of the Skokomish Tribe and has lived on the Skokomish reservation all of his life.  As a child he was born and raised in a wealth of culture.  Andy’s parents, (Arlene and Bert Wilbur), Grandfather (Andrew Peterson), Uncle (Peter Peterson) and his Great Aunt (Bertha Allen), just to name a few, all played a major roll in his life.

             Andy’s grandfather and his dad were two of the biggest influences on his life; his grandfather gave him dignity, honor, and a promise for his future.  His dad (Bert), was also born and raised in the old traditional ways, and was one of the major parts in the foundation of his culture.  Bert being a person that lives a traditional life, taught him everything from fishing, hunting, preserving foods to carving, ledges and history.  His parents gave him the structure needed to develop and enhance his culture.  While growing up, he gathering medicines and basket materials with and for his elders, Louisa Pulisfer and Emily Miller and was taught legends, history and the art of basket making.

            In his late teens, inspired by a tour of a museum exhibiting Northwest Coast art, Andy began exploring various art forms.  Andy and his Uncle Peter made a joint effort to endeavor to revive the traditional steam-bent box. By the age of 18, he had learned how to carve and paint, as well as the aspects of box making.  His early designs were predominantly in northern style, because it was most accessible. As a result, the effort was a success and has flourished into a career in wood sculpturing and box making for Andy.

In his early twenties, he was reintroduced to his great-aunt (Bertha), and she became a real asset to him.  She was the daughter of Henry Allen, who was a carver and an informant for an extensive anthropological study of the Twana people.  Bertha taught Andy so many things about his family and his culture.  She became so much more to Andy than just an aunt; she also became his grandma and his friend.

In 1987 Andy graduated from The Evergreen State with a degree in Native American Studies.  While there, he worked with Makah Artist, Greg Colfax on a 12’ female welcoming figure for The Evergreen State College.  This project prompted his interest in Coast Salish style design and carving.  Sources at the University of Washington and British Columbia yielded examples on which he used as a basis for developing a traditional and exciting Coast Salish style.  He also studied Salish art pieces made by his great-grandfather (Henry Allen).

            In 1994-95, Andy worked with Steve Brown, on a pole for Richmond Beach Park.  While working on the pole, Steve introduced Andy to many types of tools, and art of tool making and the art of silver carving. He now makes his own tools, which has broadened and enhanced his carving career.

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Andy continues to research and to contribute to the revival of the Salish art.  He has taught both carving and painting classes over the years to people of all ages, through various tribes and schools.  Andy has taught and worked with numerous members of his family, including his three daughters and his wife. He has also worked with both his Dad (Bert) and his biological father (Dennis Allen) on carving projects.  He is currently working with his youngest daughter (Bunni) in all of the art forms, and looks forward to working with his grandchildren and keeping the Salish Art forms alive.

Andy continues to be in demand for commissions.  He is currently working collaboratively on a variety of large scaled carving projects.  His works include; steam-bent boxes/chests, panels, drums, rattles, paddles, masks, speaker staffs, bowls, totems, button-blankets and silver jewelry.

Collections: Washington State Arts Commissions, “Beyond Blue Mountains”, Nominated for the Heritage Award, National Endowment for the Arts, The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, The Evergreen State College-Long House, Olympia WA.  State Capital Museum, Olympia, WA, King County Arts Commission, Richmond Beach Park, Seattle WA, Skokomish Tribal Center, and others both Private and Public Collections.

At the request of his grandfather and name sake, and being the fourth generation of the dignified name, Andy recently changed his name back to his birth name, Andrew Peter Peterson.  He now looks forward to his grandson and namesake, Thomas Andrew Peterson-BlueBird to carry on the Skokomish traditions of their culture, and maybe he too will become a carver and carry on the Legacy of Andrew Peterson (Wilbur).

Andy would like to end his bio with Special Thanks and a Debt of Gratitude to the following; his Mom, Dad, Grandfather, Aunt Bertha, Creator and Spirit Helpers for always being there for him.

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Totems