
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - An Anchorage couple has donated $25,000 toward Sealaska Heritage Institute’s (SHI) planned arts campus, which will be a public space for perpetuating and experiencing Alaska Native art.
Rod Worl and Dawn Dinwoodie will be founding donors. Their names will be engraved at the arts campus.
They said having their names engraved has a personal meaning for them, "I believe that having our names placed together in a culturally significant venue is a way of renewing our marriage vows," Worl said.
Worl is the son of SHI President Rosita Worl.
"Dawn and I have teased each other about my viewpoint on this for years. However, we both agree it is a great way to support a very good cause."
Worl and Dinwoodie also donated $25,000 when the Walter Soboleff Building was constructed. It opened in 2015.
The building was phase one of the Northwest Coast arts capital. The arts campus is phase two.
SHI has now secured the financial commitment of nearly $10.3 million for the project. The estimated cost of the project is $12.75 million.
SHI wants to break ground on the campus during Celebration, scheduled from June 10-13.