PORT TOWNSEND — Roger Fernandes, a member of the Lower Elwha tribe, will be the featured presenter at 7 tonight at the First Friday Lecture Series.
Fernandes, a storyteller, artist and historian, will talk on “Coast Salish Art and Storytelling,” hosted by the Jefferson County Historical Society at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St..
General admission will be a $5 to $10 suggested donation. Entry will be on a first-come basis until capacity has been reached.
Due to the popularity of the lecture series, JCHS has introduced a First Friday Season Pass. This pass ensures the holder a seat at the lecture as well as a reception with the speaker prior to their presentation.
The pass is $50 for JCHS members and $65 for non-members. Passes can be purchased at www.jchsmuseum.org/Programs/FirstFridayLectures.html, at the Jefferson Museum of Art & History or over the phone at 360-385-3628 ext. 104.
Fernandes is from a family of four brothers who are all singing, basketmaking, making artwork and storytelling, according to a news release.
He has been telling stories for eight years and is involved in art organizations and initiatives by and for Native American artists.
Fernandes also is the executive director of South Wind Native Arts and Education Foundation, a small grassroots nonprofit, and he’s on the arts advisory committee for the Potlatch Fund.
He won a folklife award from the Washington Arts Commission for his work in teaching about Coast Salish art. He also has a degree in Native American studies from the Evergreen State College.
All lectures in the 2019 First Friday Lecture Series focus on Native arts, history and culture.