Back at it again! Had my shows back at Heritage Day in June, it rained in the afternoon, but we persevered! Then came a pop-up with my sister and then at the Seneca Veteran’s Pow Wow at Vets Park in Salamanca I did a demonstration and meet and greet with folks coming into the pow wow grounds under the SINM/OCC tent. And then up to Victor, NY at the Ganondagan site for the Indigenous Music and Arts Festival. All while doing my art work and sharing it, learning more and participating in the Creatives Rebuild New York under the Artists Employment Program and as a Artist in Residence with the SINM/OCC.
It’s already been a busy summertime! My fall calendar is also filling back up. Plans to do more events this year. I’m still cautious because seems like we are an oddity and glad for it too, since we haven’t had Covid and I’m okay with that.
Here I go again! I lost my connection, even if its easy for some, its not always easy for me!
I’ve been invited to be a part of a Pathways to Success grant and another opportunity to be part of a collabrative with the SINM and OCC here in Salamanca. Exciting things going on…
Shows are opening back up and I’m going to be at the Joe Curry Pow Wow we have in town July 16, doing a demonstration and talking baskets. Then the following week I’ll be a vendor at the Ganondagan site in Victor for the Indigenous Music and Arts Festival – July 23 & 24, 2022
February, made art for my sister’s pop up she had on her front porch, it was a fun way to get some quick sales and still see some folks.
March, my granddaughter, Nina taught me how to knit via FaceTime! Beaded some medallions for friend.
April, finally got to see my sister, Vicki after everything lifted a bit. Taught a Zoom class for the cornhusk flowers.
May, I displayed my basket making materials at the Salamanca Public Library for the month.
June, wedding baskets made – sent to Nevada. Another medallion beaded.
July, preparing my artwork for Ganondagan Art Show – 2 pieces in progress.
August, wrapping up wedding gift of 2 dolls for Seattle trip. Taught in Ithaca.
September, made the wreaths for the “Remember the Removal” day. Taught in Ithaca again.
October, hiking in Letchworth SP.
November, both pieces ready for the Art Show! Won 1st and 2nd place for the hat and the basket respectively.
Bear/Cat Corn husk Hat, PSM 2021
December, did a few small shows before Christmas (in person) good to see everyone!
Now, we are almost all caught up. I have a few bits of news but will continue on the next post. Stay well, Spring is right around the corner and will see how much mischief I get into! Later, peace.
So, I’m back. Could not access this account for a year. I’ll be sharing more things this year ahead of me. I’m hoping I get here more often. I have orders to fulfill and have to budget my time with my outside work. Every thing has been ok, doing my thing.
We had events prior to the holidays that let us be out and about, it was great to see folks even with the masks on. I’m still cautious and will do what is right for me.
Watch for more updates as I get things in order once again, I have some spam to take care of also. Be back soon, promise!
Let’s just say we all agree this year could’ve started out better. With all the happenings across the country, I’ve become disappointed and tired of it all.
I really try to get to my art intentionally to escape the other things going on. We are going into our third month and I had small orders to fulfill so now onto the more manual things and I feel some what ambivalent about it. I’ve been trying to read a book that is totally nonsensical and just do other things to take my mind off of the world, I can’t get through the book or begin my basket. It’s something I need to get passed I guess.
I still laugh, I’m glad for that. We went snow shoe-ing over the other weekend and had a really good time, despite the exercise aspect! Lol!
I received my first vaccination and had a slight reaction. Will go back in a months time to receive the second one. I will probably feel better about it once my hubby get his too. It is a personal choice, but I feel it an important one. Staying safe and really just doing my thing as always. Working on some pretty things because the world has enough ugly in it.
There may be a few things I may get into this year but still hesitant so we’ll see. I’ll catch up more when I can confirm. Here are the work in progress. Sneak peek.
My blogs will not let me post lately. I shared some news and I was not able to up load it so I ended up trashing it and I’ll begin again.
I was part of an on line class with Carson Waterman this past December and we had an opportunity to have our work displayed at Silo City in Buffalo, NY.
The month prior I won second place with this piece in the Ganondagan Art Show, I was among some fabulous artists and was honored to be selected in basketry as they are all talented folks.
I’ve been busy with getting orders done for the new year but I’ve still got time, baskets, dolls and small beaded items. With all the cancellations this past year, we dug in heavily with the on line market place. I did ok!
I’m keeping active with things that I enjoy and can exercise as I’m able, healing and staying healthy has been a priority this year. I can’t wait until I can go snow shoeing again. It’s true, it’s easier to stay in shape than to get into shape!
Cheers to a safe and healthy happy new year. Stay safe, be vigilant and mask up! Welcome to 2021! Make it a great one. I’ll be back soon. Much love, peace, joy and happiness!
I’ll be part of the Winter Arts Market at the SINM on November 14 & 15, under strict guidelines by both TCAC and the host SINM. Masks must be wore by both artists and attendees. Working on things at the moment!
This is not an easy time on people. We’ve had to readjust our days, our thinking as well as be more mindful in interacting with others.
I’ve been busy with a few orders. I’ve had the opportunity to be featured in the SINM FB site as one of the artists at the museum. It was a very fine effort and I appreciated the exposure.
I’m also working on pieces to enter for the art show at the Ganondagan site by the end of the month. One is complete and I’m pretty happy with it, the other entry has been in limbo but I will get it done. Seems like things are harder to start or complete, it’s been an odd time for me creatively. But I continue on. So, you’ll see them soon!
I’m also working on the wreaths for the Remember the Removal campaign we have here on territory. The large one will be sent down the river. There is no main event this year, it will be an on your own kind of day. But there will be a drive thru giveaway for a tee shirt and such. This is keeping me largely occupied at the moment.
I’m always thinking of every one and their well being. I’ve reached out to some but for the most part FB has been my touchstone. But some days it makes me angry as does the news. To avoid this I’ve avoided crowds, events, people and some media. I’ve not buried my head in the sand, keeping up to date is important and much of what is happening in this world matters. Some of which is out of my control. So, while you’re out there in the world doing your thing, be mindful, think of your fellow human, wear a mask. Caring is so important in these days of the pandemic. Compassion, kindness and decency need to be reiterated in these times. Hope you stay well, stay sane and just be kind.
Someone asked how was I doing and what have I been up to lately? As always, doing my thing. My thing this summer has been beadwork. I got to make it up north to purchase some beads from Grant in Tuscarora Nation. I’m back at work but only to the capacity that will allow at the moment. I still enjoy it so there is that!
This year is definitely different with the pandemic still in full motion. It’s been an adjustment for sure. There have been shows that were canceled and postponed but with all due respect, I do not mind one bit for the safety of others and myself is more important than anything. It’s painstakingly sad to attend 3 funerals for community members who died from COVID-19 and also our great nephew over this pandemic.
I was sad we would not have classes, shows or able to vacation like we normally would. But all the considerations and restrictions make it more than one wishes to bare. I can wait, I’m pretty mellow. Aaron would laugh if I said patient.
It takes patience to do bead work, it’s an art that is constantly under construction but it progresses before your eyes like a painting unveils. I do tend to make a few blanks ahead of time as I can work in small batches. Sometimes without a pattern and just with an idea. I’m kinda reckless like that. I like a color or a theme, so sketches don’t always go with beads, I just do it off the top of my head.
At any rate, I’m on strawberries at the moment. And I loved my pins I made earlier this spring, so strawberries it is! Necklaces. I always wanted a beaded necklace for myself and finally did one. But again, blanks at the ready, I’ve made 4 so far. And I love them! They are like wee canvases of art around your neck.
Hope to return to baskets soon, have some things in prep and ideas brewing but nothing in progress yet. I’ll be back. Enjoy!
Penelope S. Minner, Turtle Clan, Seneca, Allegany Territory, WNY, Salamanca, NY
Graphic designer, Traditional artist, black ash basketry, beadwork and corn husk
Black ash splint, sweet grass, muslin, leather ties, cotton thread
Through my cousin, Midge Dean-Stock, I came to traditional basket making later in life, starting in 1998. It was another opportunity to work with my hands and learn more of our culture. I enjoyed learning the process. I dedicated myself more fully to my art in 2008 due to changes in school, work and family. It became more of my focus and I even began teaching, doing presentations, and sharing this beautiful art. A friend had once referred to me as a triple threat: I smiled and thought I was never a threat; I just enjoy doing my art.
Here’s a mask woven from black ash splint and lashed with sweet grass, lined with treaty cloth and leather ties. I took this apart three times, set it aside, walked away and came back to it. It was my challenge piece. Some background for some folks:
The Two Row Wampum Treaty is represented on the left side of the woven mask by the two purple splints. The treaty, enacted in 1613, is one of the oldest treaties between the Iroquois people and Dutch settlers in the “New World.”
The fundamental Haudenosaunee position was that, “You say that you are our Father and we are your Son. We say ‘We will not be like Father and Son, but like Brothers.’ This wampum belt confirms our words. Neither of us will make compulsory laws or interfere in the internal affairs of the other. Neither of us will try to steer the other’s vessel.”
The Haudenosaunee people consider the treaty to still be in effect. Tradition states: “As long as the Sun shines upon this Earth, that is how long our Agreement will stand; Second, as long as the Water still flows; and Third, as long as the Grass Grows Green at a certain time of the year. Now we have Symbolized this Agreement and it shall be binding forever as long as Mother Earth is still in motion.”
On the right side of the mask is a single pink flower and purple curls: these were added to symbolize the virus above us and the water below. We are in a turbulent time in our lives and we need to be vigilant in our actions as human beings. We can steer our own vessels and still be together. Your choices and actions will be yours alone, but they impact others on the path. Be wise in the choices you make as you go forward.
Johnny Cash did a song about the Seneca’s in the Kinzua era, here on the Allegany. I’ve attached a link for you, just in case you want to hear the story. My folks and grandparents were active in the protest of this timeframe. It was built before I was born. But at least their voices were heard through this song writer and artist.
