Posted by A.I. Assist
Many people now proudly owns one of these awards. Everyday individuals, just like us, are celebrated by their peers as exemplary role models for generations to come. These gifts honor their elders, culture bearers, youth leaders, parents of the year, business and medical awardees, retirees and even the K300 dog mushers.
John Oscar, the Alaska Native Yup’ik artist behind Atsaq.Art, is renowned for his exceptional 3-D mixed media framed art. His work deeply reflects Yup’ik and Cup’ig cultures, often blending natural and modern materials to create intricate, symbolic pieces. Each framed artwork tells a story about nature, its creatures, and their thanksgiving to the creator, Ellam Yua. John shares, “Christian elders who passed on also believed that it was Christ, because their culture was based on love as well and believed it was Jesus all along.”
John Oscar’s journey with Atsaq.Art is truly inspiring! His dedication to his craft and community shines through. It’s wonderful to see how he has adapted and thrived despite the challenges of living in a remote community during the pandemic and inflation. By leveraging Wix.com, a web host, he has successfully developed a drop-ship online business with all the features of an e-business, opening new doors for his art.
“Developing an all-in-one place for accessing necessary applications for the web enabled me to customize an artist’s website,” said John. The web host he uses also provides free short instructions to train anyone interested in developing their own website. There are videos and reading tips available on how to set up each category and page.
By allowing customers to place direct orders from a supplier, John explained that this production method helps reduce overproduction, material use, and energy waste. Approximately 600 items are available for purchase, including hoodies, hats, jackets, shoes, original art, and printed framed canvases, all of which can be shipped anywhere in the United States.
“One of my customers from Florida ordered two hoodies," and "this customer used to work at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), as well as orders from previous workers from other states. This tells me there’s potential for a larger market as their friends become curious about these unique products,” John shared.
In addition to developing new ideas for his original hand-carved 3-D wall art, John is seeking other resources to help purchase inventory and refine his search engines to “direct increased traffic.” He noted that about 80% of his visitors are “organic,” meaning they found his site while specifically searching for products, rather than through social media.
“Most of my customers are women, and the men usually buy items for their loved ones,” John added, "as well as testing these products during the Camai Festival, the Saturday Markets in Bethel, and the largest gathering of the annual Alaska Federation of Natives in Anhorage."
John emphasized the many challenges, needed resources, and obstacles encountered in a rural setting. “On top of surviving, it has been an enlightening journey, learning about finding frame supplies, new designing, marketing, writing descriptions, understanding keywords, photography, modeling, pricing, shipping, profit margins, test marketing, customer behavior, and ‘all the extra bells and whistles,’ as my friend Reyne Athanas would say,” he explained. “This experience has opened new doors to showcase beautiful, unique apparel, gifts, and accessories,” he added, “including banners and new logos.
To support John and explore his unique creations, visit Atsaq.Art. Discover his latest artwork, apparel, gifts, and accessories, all featuring beautiful Alaska Native Yup’ik inspired art and modern design.
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