10 Facts About James Schoppert

Robert James "Jim" Schoppert was an Tlingit Alaska Native artist and educator.

James Schoppert has been described as an innovator, whose works pushed the boundaries of what was expected from Northwest Coast art.

James Schoppert taught at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a guest professor and gave presentations and lectures at elementary schools throughout the states of Alaska and Washington.

In 1973, James Schoppert came to Anchorage for a construction job which, it turned out, was no longer available.

James Schoppert put it up for sale at the urging of his sister and was able to sell it quickly, which marked the formal beginning of his career as an artist.

James Schoppert created the North Coast Indian flat design that is on the entrance to the west end of the I-90 tunnel in Seattle.

James Schoppert's artwork covered a wide range of techniques such as woodcarving, abstract paintings, drawings, mask making, and, most notably, his large, carved panel pieces.

James Schoppert learned that the Tlingit formline that was considered the customary method was only a relatively recent development among the Northwest Indian.

James Schoppert has been quoted as saying "Learn the rules, then break them".

James Schoppert went beyond the boundaries of established Northwest Coastal art and was a contributor to the evolution of contemporary Native art.