Caroline Kava Penayah

The late Caroline Kava Penayah was a Yupik doll maker from Saint Lawrence Island. She was known for creating wonderfully crafted dolls with beautiful faces, detailed beadwork and wearing the traditional one-piece garment called a Qallevak worn by the women and children of Saint Lawrence Island.

Caroline was taught the art of Yupik doll making by watching her grandmother and mother and then working on projects they gave her, learning the stitches as a young child.

For many years, Caroline exhibited annually at the Alaska Federation of Natives Customary Art Fair. A doll she made in1982 is on exhibit at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport South Terminal Mezzanine. As one of Alaska’s noted doll makers, her work is also featured in books documenting Alaska Native arts and crafts and doll making including “Not Just a Pretty Face: Dolls and Human Figurines in Alaska” by Molly Lee and “Eskimo Dolls” by Susi Jones.

Caroline died April 15, 2007 at home in Copper Center after an extended illness.