Urban Tsimshian textile artist Ksm Lx'sg̱a̱n Ruth Hallows weaves
in the Chilkat and Ravenstail traditions of Northwest Coastal People. Born in
Tacoma, WA surrounded by their family’s cedar basketry, they dreamt of
traveling to Alaskan community to learn to weave. Ruth moved progressively
further from the northwest coast until their family settled in the Sonoran
Desert.
Ruth’s dreams slept until the world shifted in response to the
pandemic and their personal life shifted in alignment. Together with Northwest
Coastal community, they overcame financial, temporal, and geographical barriers
to weave Ravenstail during lockdown with Kay Field Parker. Since 2021, they continue to gather weaving
skills, including Chilkat weaving with mentorship from Wooshkindeinda.aat Lily
Hope; spruce root basketry with Aanutein Deborah Head; cedar basketry with
Ksgooga Gwisgwaasgm Gyemk Janice Jainga-Lonergran and Tl’aakahlwaas Vicki
Soboleff;
and pattern design with Naakil.aan Hans Chester and Steve Brown.
Ruth’s first solo project, Our Sisters Dance with Us, was
recognized Best of Ravenstail Category at the Sealaska 2022 Celebration Juried
Art Show. Haida artist and master
Chilkat weaver Kujuuhl Evelyn Vanderhoop awarded an honorable mention to
Unmasking – A Chilkat Inspired Self-portrait during the Sealaska 2024
Celebration Juried Art Show, which was subsequently awarded first place in Handweavers
Guild of America’s 2025 Small Expressions. Their ceremonial textiles have been
juried into the Heard Museum Indian Fair & Market Best of Show Competition
and were recognized with the Carol Ann Mackay award for First Place in Weaving
& Textiles, Cultural Attire in 2025 and 2026.
Ruth maintains a daily practice of Chilkat and Ravenstail weaving
in their home on O'odam and Piipaash traditional lands near Phoenix, Arizona.