Odin Lonning

Odin Lonning was born in Juneau, Alaska in 1953. Through his mother, he is a member of the Woosh-ke-Than (Eagle, Shark) clan of the Tlingit Nation. On his father’s side, he is Norwegian.

At an early age, Odin was inspired by relatives and local artists such as Lincoln and Amos Wallace, Nathan Jackson, and Johnny Avatok.

As a child, Odin learned traditional Tlingit art forms by designing and painting on wood. Some of his early works were commissioned for permanent display by the Juneau Centennial Committee, the Goldbelt Corporation, the Juneau school district, and the Sealaska Corporation.

In 1989, Odin moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to attend the Institute of American Indian Art. After completion of his studies, he started showing in museums, larger pow wows, and at art invitationals. He has shown in San Francisco, Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Fairbanks, Juneau, Santa Fe, and Tucson. He has been honored with several awards for his work.

Odin’s current works include wall panels, carved bowls, masks, paddles, drums, paintings ceramics, dance staffs and wands, rattles, button robes and regalia, copper daggers, coper etched wall pieces, bentwood boxes, silver jewelry, block prints, and graphic design.

Odin now lives on Vashon Island near Seattle, where he works on multiple projects and private commissions. He does cultural presentations with his wife for nonprofit groups, museums, schools, galleries, and treatment centers. He also works with Northwest Native Designs, a custom leather furniture company employing the talents of many native artists. Native Peoples magazine featured Odin's furniture design.