Native American Arts
Native American Arts Festival
Native American Arts Workshops
The Native American Arts Workshops are designed for adults at all levels of experience and knowledge. Working closely with master artists and cultural specialists, students have the rare opportunity to learn traditional and contemporary Native American art forms and to gain an understanding of the rich cultural foundation which inspires and motivates each artist.
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Native American Cuisine: Popular Pre-Iberian Ingredients in America Today
Freddie Bitsoie
July 14-15
Course # NANC Ø1
Two-day session
During this two-day class, learn about Pre-Iberian ingredients from modern day America as well as the history of ingredients and how they are in the process of revitalization throughout the country. Ingredients will come from the Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest. The class will be divided into four sessions. Each session will cover one region and will explore how foods from each region evolved through pre-Iberian times, through colonization, to Relocation, to the present. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the tastes of these ingredients and foods in many variations from traditional to contemporary. Each participant will receive a booklet of Chef Freddie Bitsoie’s recipes to take home.
Tuition: $335
Lab Fee: $45 (Includes all food, supplies and recipe booklet.)
Enrollment limited to 15 students.
In this workshop, dedicated to our teacher Katherine Siva Saubel, participants will learn ways to save and utilize native plants from helping the environment to medical alternatives. Native plants are taking their rightful place in health and nutrition. This class will offer a hands-on experience in collecting, growing and using these culturally valuable plants today.
After the annual ethnobotany talk in the campus meadow, we will learn how to make cordage from yucca, nettle, dogbane, and iris, which was used to strengthen shelters, lash a canoe, string beads, and make nets. Using pre-made cordage, guest Gerald Clarke will help guide us in learning to construct a small net carrying bag in the style used by our ancestors from this region. The evening will take us to some local rock painting sites with Daniel McCarthy, U.S. Forest Service Tribal Relations Program Manager, who will discuss the meaning, historical significance and importance of preservation of these sites.
Sunday will be devoted to traditional and modern gathering practices of native plants; preparing and cooking with plants such as yucca, wild rose, cactus, elderberry, stinging nettle, mesquite, acorn, and many others; an overview on setting up an elders’ food bank and the uses of native plants as a valuable asset to aiding diabetes prevention; and finally feasting together on the foods we prepare. Each student will receive a book of recipes.
Tuition: $220
Lab fee: $30
Enrollment limited to 20 students.
July 9-13
Course # NACB Ø1
One-week session
The Indian tribes of California produced baskets of great diversity and beauty. The exquisite baskets of the Cahuilla, in particular, are recognized among the highest form of the basket making art, and in recent years the Cahuilla have experienced a revival in the tradition.
Each student will learn how to create a basket of his/her own during the workshop using yucca, sumac, juncus and deer grass. On a field trip to the nearby Cahuilla Reservation, students will be taught identification of plants used in basket making and will learn how to prepare the plants for use.
Tuition: $680
Lab fee: $40 (Includes materials, field trip transportation and use of tools in the class)
Enrollment limited to 10 students.
Hopi Basketry: Coiled Plaque Style
Griselda Saufkie
July 2–6
Course # NAHB ØØ
One-week session
Hopi Baskets play an integral role in the life and ceremonies of the Hopi people. From dances and weddings to giving thanks and appreciation, the uses of baskets at Hopi are many. The exquisite baskets that are woven by Hopi women come in three distinct styles and techniques. The coiled plaques made at Second Mesa are the subject of this workshop.
This is a rare opportunity to work with Hopi elder Griselda Saufkie from the village of Shungopovi, Second Mesa. Students will learn the techniques of making and incorporating design into a coiled plaque basket. They will learn how the yucca and galleta grass are gathered and prepared for texture and color, and each student will then design and create a plaque basket. In addition, Griselda will bring prepared yucca to create Hopi sifter baskets. This is a one-day process, so a student may choose to learn this technique in addition to the coil technique.
Materials: A complete materials list will be sent upon registration.
Tuition: $680
Lab Fee: $45 (Includes prepared materials and the use of tools in class.)
Enrollment limited to 8 students.
Barbara Ornelas, Lynda Pete
July 2-6
Course # NANW ØØ
July 9-13
Course # NANW Ø1
One or Two-week session
Students will have the opportunity to learn the art of weaving from Master Navajo Weaver, Barbara Teller Ornelas, originally from Two Grey Hills and Newcomb, New Mexico, and her sister Lynda Teller Pete. While instructing and demonstrating, Barbara and Lynda will share their family’s personal weaving stories and experiences, allowing participants a chance to view the world of Navajo weaving.
According to Navajo oral tradition two holy people, Spider Woman and Spider Man, introduced weaving to the Navajo. Spider Man constructed the first loom, which was composed of sunshine, lightning, and rain; and Spider Woman taught the people how to weave on it. Spider Woman was discovered by the Holy Twins, the culture heroes of the Navajo Creation Story, in a small opening in the earth surrounded by an array of beautiful weavings. Entering her dwelling, the Holy Twins descended a ladder made of yarn, whereupon Spider Woman offered them knowledge of the world of weaving.
Beginners: Students will learn the traditional method of Navajo weaving and will begin weaving on Day 1 with a pre-warped, upright Navajo loom. The majority of the week will be spent designing and learning how to weave a 12” x 16” rug. There will be a lesson on warping a loom later in the week. Beginning weavers may enroll for the full two weeks or in the first week only.
Intermediate: Students will learn more advanced weaving techniques and more intricate patterns, and the rug may be any size. Students who have begun a rug in this workshop in previous summers may bring their rugs to complete, or may begin a new rug. Intermediate students must bring their own loom and it must be set up for weaving before class begins. Alternately, they may order a pre-warped loom (when they register) to work on if they prefer. Intermediate students (those who have taken this course before or have had previous basic training in Navajo weaving on an upright loom) may enroll for the full two weeks or in the second week only.
Materials: Students may wish to bring a seat cushion and small clamp or desk lamp.
Tuition: $680 per week
Lab fee: $75 beginners (Includes the use of a pre-warped loom and all tools in class, six skeins of wool. Looms, additional wool, battens and combs will be available for purchase.
Intermediate students: no lab fee (wool and warp will be available for purchase. If choosing to use a pre-warped loom, which must be ordered at the time of registration, the lab fee is $45.)
Enrollment limited to 10 students per week.
July 2-6
Course # NAJH ØØ
One-week session
In this workshop, students will learn the classic Hopi Overlay technique of metalsmithing, as well as Tufa Casting. Tufa is a soft porous stone used for direct casting one-of-a-kind designs. Student may combine tufa cast pieces with their overlay designs (multiple layers of sheet silver with cut-out designs, textured and oxidized recessed surfaces), or students may create separate overlay and tufa works. In addition, the instructor will demonstrate techniques for making stamping tools.
Beginning students will be introduced to the fundamental materials, processes, and techniques of silversmithing, and those with experience will be able to fine-tune their skills while mastering new techniques. Because students will be working closely with the teacher, the workshop is well-suited for students of all levels of experience.
Materials: A complete materials list will be sent upon registration.
Tuition: $680
Lab Fee: $55 (Includes pre-cut tufa, the use of all tools, equipment and consumable such as solder and compounds.) Students are encouraged to bring their own silver and hand tools, if they have them, but these items must be clearly marked. Some silver sheet will be available for purchase in class.
Enrollment limited to 12 students.
July 9-13
Course # NAJN Ø1
One-week session
The Navajo adopted the art of jewelry making from the Spanish after contact, taking the art to new heights and establishing a style that is now considered to be the “traditional” Navajo style. Today, there are many Navajo jewelers who are moving beyond that style, designing contemporary pieces of jewelry which reflect a new Native American reality. Artists are creating colorful collages and patterns with beautiful stones and shells set in gold and silver. In addition to turquoise and coral, it is not unusual to find lapis lazuli, purple lavulite, diamonds, pearls, malakite, jet stone, jade, melon shell and other stones, shells and gems in contemporary Native American jewelry.
Working closely with one of the leading contemporary Navajo jewelers, students will learn the techniques used to create such pieces. They will design patterns, cut, grind and prepare stones, and set the stones into basic silver forms (rings, bracelets, earrings, bolos, etc.) which they have created. Participants without prior experience in silversmithing will also be introduced to the basic concepts of shaping silver.
Tuition: $680
Lab fee: $45 (Includes the use of all tools, equipment, and consumables such as solder and compounds. An additional charge will be made for all silver and stones used. A small selection of turquoise and other stones will be available for purchase, but students are encouraged to bring their own stones if they have preferences on colors/stone types.) Students may bring their own silver, tools, stones, and a work lamp which must be clearly marked.
Enrollment limited to 10 students.
Ernest Siva
July 12-15
Course # NANF Ø1A
Intermediate: 4-day session (Thurs.-Sun.)
July 13-15
Course # NANF Ø1B
Beginners: 3-day session (Fri.-Sun.)
In this workshop, each student will construct and decorate a six-hole flute under the guidance of an experienced Navajo flute maker. They will also learn some history of flutes as well as the care and handling of their newly created instrument. During the course, ethnomusicologist Ernest Siva will teach the basics of flute playing and each student will receive a small booklet of flute music.
Beginning students (3-day session begins
July 13) will use western red cedar for the body of the flute. They will carve, shape, oil, tune and finally decorate their flute. The Pentatonic scale will be used to tune the flutes and students may choose the key (from F to A).
Intermediate students (4-day session begins July 12) will use western red cedar for the body of the flute and will choose key of D or C (low). they will make a laminated totem (new this year) to go with their flute.
Materials: A complete materials list will be sent upon registration.
Tuition: $490 (Beginning, 3-day session)
$590 (Intermediate, 4-day session)
Lab fee: $40 (Beginning, 3-day session)
$55 (Intermediate, 4-day session)
(Includes wood, materials and the use of tools and equipment in class.)
Enrollment limited to 10 students.
Cahuilla Style Pottery
Tony Soares
July 2-6
Course # NAPC ØØ
One-week session
Learn how to create the beautiful ollas used by the Cahuilla people of Southern California to store food and water. Using two different clay types during the week, including Salton Sea clay (for buff ware) and brown clay, students will hand build two to three 6" to 12" pots using the paddle and anvil method.
Experience all techniques and steps used in the process including paintbrush making, grinding and preparing paint stones to decorate the pots, making nets (used for holding and hanging the round-based ollas), and more. Take a field trip to collect firing materials, and see a demonstration of fire-starting by friction. Students will have the opportunity to experience two types of firings during the session and will learn to make an “urban kiln” for use at home.
Tuition: $680
Lab Fee: $55 (Includes gathered and prepared Salton Sea clay and brown clay; paints, firing materials, net making materials, and the use of all tools in class.)
Enrollment limited to 10 students.
Hopi-Tewa Pottery
Mark Tahbo
July 9-14
Course # NAPH Ø1
One-week session-includes Saturday a.m. firing
Students in this workshop will learn the traditional Hopi method of creating polychrome pottery. Revived at the turn of the century by Hopi potter Nampeyo of Hano, the ancient Sikyatki style of Hopi pottery is recognized and collected throughout the world. Students will learn the Hopi techniques of coil building, stone burnishing, painting with natural pigments, and firing.
Students will also have the opportunity to experiment with two types of clay, the Hopi-Tewa gray clay, as well as the yellow ochre clay that Nampeyo often used; learn how to process and prepare raw clay for pottery making; prepare beeweed plant for paint; see demonstrations of slipping techniques using white kaolin and yellow ochre; and learn two firing techniques (for both gray and yellow ochre pots).
The natural clays and paints are provided by the artist, from the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. There is enough clay for each student to make 2 to 3 small pieces of pottery – all that can be successfully completed in the week-long workshop. This is not a production pottery course, but a careful examination of the delicate process of Hopi pottery making and the cultural foundation from which the art is inspired.
Tuition: $680
Lab Fee: $55
Enrollment limited to 15 students.
Mata Ortiz Pottery
Jorge Quintana
July 9-14
Course # NAPM Ø1
One-week session-includes Saturday a.m. firing
Inspired by the ancient Casas Grandes pottery of Chihuahua, Mexico, Juan Quezada began making pottery in 1975 in his village of Mata Ortiz. His success inspired others to begin making this style of pottery, and there are now hundreds of potters working in Mata Ortiz. Jorge Quintana was one of Juan’s students, and has emerged as one of the outstanding and innovative potters of this second generation of Mata Ortiz artists.
In this course, students will learn to create both polychrome and black pots in the Mata Ortiz tradition. Participants will build, polish, sand, paint and fire their pots in an outdoor firing. Jorge will also teach how to make paint brushes with hair, mix clay and pigments. The clay and paints/pigments are provided by the instructor and are gathered from his home. A special highlight of the week will be a presentation on the history of Mata Ortiz pottery by Walter Parks, author of The Miracle of Mata Ortiz.
Tuition: $680
Lab Fee: $50 (Includes clay, pigments, firing materials, and the use of pukis and other tools in class.)
Enrollment limited to 12 students.
Collaboration in Native American Arts and Culture
Each day, the visiting scholars and artists will explore a wide range of topics with slide lectures, demonstrations, & performances. Native food tastings daily.
The week-long Native American Arts Festival, designed to enhance and add depth to the hands-on workshops, includes performances, the Michael Kabotie Lecture series, art exhibits, and informal discussions with a distinguished group of artists, tribal elders and scholars. In addition, the Festival Week offers a way for those not enrolled in a workshop to participate and learn about the most current issues and theories concerning Native American artists, art and culture.
The spirit of this annual series is to bring the scientific, intuitive and trickster voices together for a balanced and provocative learning experience. This year’s program, “Collaboration,” is founded on the principle that art engenders social progress. Artists working together further creation and knowledge, thus building a pathway between inherited traditions and the dynamic innovations of our global society.
Delaware Tribe, Consultant to this program, Executive Director, Longue Vue House and Gardens, New OrleansGerald Clarke, Jr.
Cahuilla, Consultant to this Program, Artist, Tribal Counsel Vice Chairman, Cahuilla Band of Indians
Lowell Bean
Anthropologist
Freddie Bitsoie
Navajo, Chef, Anthropologist
Hadrien Coumans
Co-founder, Lenape Center
Barbara Drake
Tongva, Educator
Eric Eliott
Ethnolinguist
Sandy Frank
Lakota, Photographer
Hank Louis
Founder, DesignBuildBLUFF
Ken Marchionno
Artist, Founder, Lakota Future Generations, Teen Photojournalism Project
Daniel McCarthy
Archaeologist, US Forest Service, Tribal Relations Program Manager
John Molina
Pascua Yaqui, Chief Executive Officer, Phoenix Indian Medical Center
Walter Parks
Author of The Miracle of Mata Ortiz
Lorene Sisquoc
Mt. Cahuilla/Apache, Curator, Sherman Indian Museum
Ernest Siva
Cahuilla/Serrano, President & Founder, Dorothy Ramon Learning Center
Jock Soto
Navajo/Puerto Rican, Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
Festival Exhibit Collaborators
Gerald Clarke (Cahuilla) + Lorene Sisquoc (Mt. Apache/Cahuilla), Tom Jones (Ho-Chunk) + Henry Payer (Ho-Chunk) MIlford Nahohai (Zuni) + Louis Schalk, Joe Baker (Delaware) + Hadrian Coumans, Keri Ataumbi (Kiowa) + TBA, Laura Ortman (White Mt. Apache) + TBA
FESTIVAL WEEK Events
Open to the Public
Collaboration in Native American Arts and Culture.
Each day, the visiting scholars and artists will explore a wide range of topics on “Collaboration” with slide lectures, demonstrations, & performances. Native food tastings daily.
Sunday, July 8
6:30 p.m. Panel: Dr. Lowell Bean, Barbara Drake, Dr. Eric Elliott, Daniel McCarthy, Lorene Sisquoc
Considering the Life & Legacy of Katherine Siva Saubel (1920–2011) through her many collaborations
Monday, July 9
7 p.m. Artist Talk: * Guest Artists
8 p.m. Exhibition Opening/Reception
Invitational Exhibit: 12 Artists, 6 COLLABORATIONS
Tuesday, July 10
12–1 p.m.
Brown Bag Lecture: * Hank Louis, Building with Empathy: Homes on the Navajo Reservation
Wednesday, July 11
12–1 p.m. Brown Bag Lecture: * Dr. John Molina, Traditional Indian Medicine
Thursday, July 12
12–1 p.m. Brown Bag Lecture: * Ken Marchionno & Sandy Frank 300 Miles, Two Weeks with Lakota Teens on the Oomaka Tokatakiya
7 p.m. Film Night
Friday, July 13
8 a.m. Cahuilla Style Pottery Firing
7 p.m. Performance:
Cahuilla Birdsingers
Special Guest, Jock Soto, Pas de Deux choreographed by Soto with Q&A
Saturday, July 14
8 a.m. Hopi-Tewa Pottery Firing
Mata Ortiz Pottery Firing
* Includes Native Food Tastings
| Past Festival Guests |
| Max Benavides
Dr. Janet Berlo
Joanna Bigfeather
Black Eagle Singers
Dr. Tara Browner
Cahuilla Birdsingers
Gerald Clarke Jr.
Dustinn Craig
Dr. Patricia Crown
Dancing Earth/Rulan Tangen
Brent Michael Davids
Chris Eyre
Gary Farmer
Teri Greeves
Terry Goedel
Dr. Jonathan Haas
Dr. Ann Lane Hedlund
Diane Calabaza Jenkins
Ed Kabotie
Michael Kabotie
Paul Kabotie
Dr. Stephen Lekson
Dr. Victoria Levine
Ramson Lomatewama
James Luna
Bill Madrigal
Duane Maktima
| Dr. Laura Marcus
Josephine and Milford Nahohai
Barbara Teller Ornelas
Walter Parks
Eric Polingyouma
Sidney Poolheco
Dr. Charles Redman
Dr. W. Jackson Rushing III
Dr. Allan J. Ryan
Dr. Mari Lyn Salvador
Joe Sando
Lawrence and Griselda Saufkie
Alex Seotewa
Dr. Beverly Singer
Ernest Siva
Spiderwoman Theater
Arigon Starr
Yolanda Hart Stevens
Dr. Rina Swentzell
Mark Tahbo
Patty Talahongva
Dr. Steadman Upham
Dr. Edwin L. Wade
W. Richard West
Dr. Wirt Wills
Nathan Youngblood
Curtis Zunigha |