{"id":20511,"date":"2023-11-07T12:08:15","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T17:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/?p=20511"},"modified":"2025-09-11T13:22:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T17:22:24","slug":"butch-phillips-artist-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/2023\/11\/07\/butch-phillips-artist-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Butch Phillips (Artist Profile – In Memorium, 1940 – 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Butch Phillips<\/strong>, a tribal elder of the Penobscot Nation, grew up on Indian Island.\u00a0He was a tradition bearer within his community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phillips was a birchbark artist known for etching winter bark with traditional Penobscot double curve motifs and designs. He was also recognized for his moose calls (article here<\/a>), log carriers, and model canoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2002, Butch assisted in the construction of an 18-foot birchbark canoe that was finished and paddled in shifts during the annual Katahdin Spiritual Run, a 100-mile trek by canoe, bike and foot to Mount Katahdin.\u00a0Later, Butch went on to build a 14-foot canoe on his own, and an 18-foot canoe with two of his sons.\u00a0He went on to participate in events that showcase birchbark canoes while paddling the Penobscot River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Butch was instrumental in the restoration of the Penobscot River, advocating for the removal of dams to allow for the return of migratory fish species such as salmon and sturgeon. The restoration of the river was a collaborative effort by the tribe, seven conservation groups, the local power company, the State of Maine, and the Federal government.\u00a0Butch was one of twenty-four Penobscot individuals featured in the documentary \u201cThe River is Our Relative.\u201d\u00a0In this film, Butch shared his spiritual connection and celebrated his cultural ties to the Penobscot River.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His art is featured in the collections of the Hudson Museum<\/a> and the Abbe Museum<\/a> as well as the Tekakapimek Contact Station<\/a> for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Butch was a regular participant in the Wabanaki Winter Market<\/strong><\/a>, sharing a table with his sister Gayle Phillips who creates decorative works and jewelry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo \u2013 Butch Phillips (Artist Profile)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Butch<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Butch<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Video \u2013 Butch Phillips (Artist Profile)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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