Alex McCarty papers

Alex McCarty was a member of the Makah Nation, skill artist, and indigenous arts faculty at The Evergreen State College (from 2014-2024). He obtained his BA in visual arts and social studies from The Evergreen State College in 2000, and his Master in Teaching from The Evergreen State College in 2002. During his time at Evergreen, Alex taught interdiscinplinary printmaking and carving through the lense of indigenous and natural culture, and was a prominent advocate and planner for amasters-level native programs at Evergreen. His interest in art catapulted him into the position of a modern-day preservationist: his cultural heritage influences his work and through his teaching, everything he knew about Native American art got passed down. Alex worked in both contemporary and traditional mediums, saying, "Printmaking is a multi-step process and I see every priniting session as an exploration. It is always a surprise when I press the ink to the paper." Thought maing prints is not a traditional form, Alex used traditional designs as the theme of those pieces. In his time before Evergreen, he developed public works for Tacoma General Hospital, the Makah Cultural and Research Center in Neah Bay, WA, and for The Evergreen State College. He worked as a visual arts teacher for Chief Leschi Schools in Puyallup, WA, Wa He Lut Indian School in Olympia, WA and Clover Park High School in Tacoma, WA. Alex exhibited his own works in various festivals, galleries, and exhibitions through the Pacific Northwest.