John and Mark Tetpon

John Nasoalook Tetpon, age 63, was taught the art of ivory carving by his father. He currently resides in Anchorage where he creates Native spirit masks under his Inupiaqt name, Nasoalook. John was born in Shaktoolik, a small village along the Bering Sea Coast near Nome. His current repertoire includes art pieces in ivory, wood, fossilized whalebone, and occasionally, soapstone. He has been an artist for more than 30-years.

He is teaching his son Mark Delutak the craft. Mark was born and raised in Anchorage and has been working with his father for more than 5 years.