About

William Lee Burkhart III, was born and raised in Sitka, Alaska, into a family of multidisciplinary Tlingit artists, starting with his great grandfather, George Benson. At an early age Lee spent a lot of time watching his father Will Burkhart carve totem poles, masks, bentwood boxes, canoes, and murals. His father also engraves copper, silver and gold. Not only did Lee learn the art form of his ancestors from his father, but also from his cousin  Nicholas Galanin, late uncle Dave Galanin, and late mentor Louis Menard.

In 2004 Lee ambitiously applied for a Cultural & Heritage grant from Shee Atiká Inc. as he was eager to purchase engraving tools and begin to apprentice under his father Will Burkhart and late uncle Dave Galanin. At the time he was only 12 years old and the youngest shareholder to receive the grant. In 2018, Lee again received a Cultural & Heritage grant from Shee Atiká Inc. to purchase additional tools and apprentice under Nicholas Galanin.  Lee has also taken chasing and repousse classes under Nicholas Galanin. In 2020 Lee took a seal and otter fur sewing class under Robert Miller. In June 2020 and 2022, Lee was a Division Winner in Carving, Sculpture, and Metal in the Sealaska Heritage Institute Juried Art show, for his Copper Bent Box, and Killer Whale Pendant.

Currently living in Juneau, Alaska Lee is an accomplished engraver and wood carver. Lee’s project experience includes work on a 42' totem pole with Nicholas Galanin, which was raised in June of 2018 on Douglas island. In September of 2019 he completed a 10’ wolf house post totem, carved solely by himself, at the top of Mount Roberts tramway, in Juneau, Alaska. In December 2020 he finished work on a 12’ House post totem in Sitka, Alaska while working with Nicholas Galanin. In October of 2021 he apprenticed under Nicholas Galanin and his father Will Burkhart while carving a 25’ red cedar dugout canoe.  In 2022 Lee worked again under Nicholas Galanin and Will Burkhart on a 25’ totem pole representing his father's clan the Kaagwaantaan in Sitka, Alaska. 

Lee has a home studio where he engraves on copper, silver, and gold jewelry. He also has started to engrave on knives that he designs and forges. Lee also works on small-scale wood carving out of his shop. Lee’s future goals include learning rock carving and expanding his experience in metal smithing, along with exploring more the craft of otter and seal fur sewing. 

Lee is eager to pass his knowledge down to future generations, to help preserve and uplift our once dying visual language.