As I said in the previous post, rounding up my 2 years with the CRNY AEP with the Seneca Nation and the SINM/OCC and it feels great to be a part of the experiences. I have to keep moving forward and have since applied for a few more grants. I am going to keep on going in my art career as I had been all along. I am appreciative for the time and opportunity I had with the program.

Now on to the Eiteljorg Indian Art Market 2024 edition! I’m excited for this market place – we had a lot of fun there last year. Saw a lot of talented folks and it was a mini getaway for a weekend. I enjoyed meeting new people and talking with the public. This year, we are taking our granddaughter to experience to market. She’s also glad to be able to spend some time with us. She will begin college in the fall and we are excited for her.

I’ll try to post photos when we get back. For now, stay hydrated and stay cool, it’s going to get hot out there!

I have had the good fortune to be able to do my artwork with the support of my husband and family and the Seneca Nation and the SINM/Onohsagwe:de’ Cultural Center here in Salamanca, NY for the past 2 years through the generous support of the Creatives Rebuild New York grant – CRNY’s Artist Employment Program (AEP) is a 2-year program that funds employment for 300 artists working in collaboration with community-based organizations across New York State. Participating artists receive a salary of $65,000 per year (commensurate with median household income in New York State) plus benefits and dedicated time to focus on their artistic practice. Community-based organizations receive $25,000-$100,000 per year to support their collaborations with these artists.

It has been such a terrific experience and honor to be able to have been selected and included in our cohort of 9 other talented Seneca artists from our territory.

I put together a few shots of my time and the people and places that I had the opportunity to visit, share my art with, locally and off territory as well. It has been a real pleasure and I can not thank everyone enough who has supported the arts and our Good Medicine Creatives in this time. I appreciate you all, it’s been an honor. Nya:weh. Enjoy!

I’m off to do more art. Traveling to Indianapolis next week for the Eiteljorg Indian Art Market. Keep following because it doesn’t end here….

At our inaugural Ohi:yo’ Art Market here on the Allegany Territory, we had a fantastic showing of talented artists and I did take a second place ribbon in the basket category for my basket briefcase.

It had been constructed of the black ash and was then adorn with leather and sinew for the flaps and handle, I used treaty cloth on the inside as an insulator and had 2 leather looking buttons for the closures. I had been inspired and challenged by another talented artist, who mentioned it in a conversation and I took it up. It was called, “Time to Shine”, it was meant to be an dedication piece to All the working women in our society who have to walk both roads in our journey. I attached a splint with the words, Belongs to A: Strong. Resilient. Woman. as her tagline.

Took a road trip to Elkins, WV to attend an opening and do a demonstration on my black ash basketry and had a lot of fun on the way. If you are in the area, stop by.

Creating home:
Indigenous Roots and Connections in the Appalachian Forest

Indigenous people have lived, loved, and created home in the Appalachian Forest since time immemorial. Their connection to this land and influence on Appalachian culture continue today.

Appalachian Forest Discovery Center, 101 Railroad Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241

I am headed next to the Eiteljorg Museum Art Market in June. All my works have been dedicated to this right now. Getting excited for the trip! More information here:

Indian Market and Festival

I have a draft of the poster for the upcoming shows…hopefully they will post okay here also.

I have been keeping busy and to myself for the time. Had a great time with family in Boston over the holiday season. Winter time is a time to catch your breath and begin fresh, which I am managing to do. I’m excited for a new development but its just that in the development stages and will not be out until March 2025! So, stay tuned.

In the meantime, I wrapped up a revamped piece which I am happy with but it is for an entry and will be released in due time. Been working on mini dolls, those are fun! Over did it a few weeks ago, so now I have to heal from a bit of tennis elbow. I know I’m getting older so things don’t just happen like they use to! lol!

Entered a few shows, filled out a few grant opportunities and some time to wait to find out, patience. I’ll be starting up the Ohi:yo Bead Group again at the end of Jan. through March, the ladies enjoy getting together. I’m glad for that. CRNY will be wrapping up this year and we are all thinking of the end result and what’s next. I am extremely fortunate to have been part of this collective and appreciate every moment of it. We’ll see what happens next, same as everyone else. I’ll be in touch again soon, maybe with photos this time! Stay Cozy!

This week on December 1, I’ll be set up at the SAAB (Seneca Allegany Administration Building) in Salamanca, from 10-2.

That evening I’m going to be at the Ganondagan Haudenousaunee Art Show for the evening reception and then go shopping at their market!

Then I’ll be in Erie at the Erie Art Museum for a class on the Strawberry pin cushion and then on to the Springville Council on the Arts – Arts Cafe for the Black Ash and Sweet grass star ornament!

Busy times and I’m looking forward to them all. It’s just the weather right now with its unpredictability. I’m sure I’ll make them all and hope to see you out there. Everyone is gearing up for the Holiday season, even Mother Nature. Stay toasty and safe.

There are still spots available for our Beadworking workshops with Seneca Nation artists this coming Sunday!

Create Flat Spiral Weave Bracelets with Samantha Jacobs of the Cattaraugus First Nation, OR discover the cultural heritage of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois/Six Nations) by crafting beaded velvet pin cushions in honor of the strawberry with Penelope S. Minner.

Choose one of two workshops. Both are $50 for members and $65 for non-members. Members use the code BEADS for your discount!

I was at the Burchfield Penney Art Center along with Marissa and Tonia, 2 other CRNY Haudenosaunee Artists out of Ganondagan in Victor. We were busy sharing and showing the public cordage and material goods from natural fibers. Marissa set up a station for twining scraps of fabric so they could get the idea behind the technique we used and still continue to use in our art. We had a very good day and a great audience of folks who came through.

I will next be at the History Center of Tompkins County in Ithaca making corn husk dolls with folks for the morning and afternoon of Veteran’s Day. Another activity for the younger folks to listen to the story of why the corn husk doll has no face. There are various versions as I had mentioned prior, this story is my favorite version. The information is on this page: https://www.thehistorycenter.net/event-5372164?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=11/6/2023

After that I will be at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum’s Winter Art Market with some small items for sale, as well as the Winter Art Emporium put on by the Clerk’s office at the SAAB or Seneca Allegany Administration Building . November 18, and then on December 1, 2023

Corn husk has been the material of the moment, so I am doing a few things while I can. All while still juggling everything else! lol, life goes on, I hope you are enjoying it. Until next time.

I can’t believe it’s already time to think of the leaves falling off…
But here we are. My schedule has a few things in it, but I will do what I can for both Fall Fest. and the Falling Leaves Festival.

I was at the Portville Free Library on Monday to make corn husk dolls with the kids. It was a nice visit.

I’ll be at the History Center of Tompkins Co. in Ithaca again in September and October and also helping with the Bead Conference later in the month. A few trips planned as well. Hopefully, all will go well. Here’s the poster to share.

Did a demonstration at Howe Caverns at the Iroquois Museum on my background with the black ash basketry and corn husk work. Met a lot of folks from around the area and shared my love for our traditional arts and culture. Education and preservation are one of the key components of my talks. It was a beautiful weekend, set out on the back area with a nice breeze, it was a raining trip to the location but then it was gone!

Also, did a splint and sweet grass class at the Cuba Circulating Library in Cuba, NY with some patrons. 11 ladies came out to participate and they were all very happy with their results.

So, I am able to take a breath and fill out the orders I have in and get prepared for the Fall Festival in Irving. Yes, I said it, getting ready and planning mode for fall. Oi!

Be back soon, flyers were not yet circulating.

We haven’t even finished up with summer and I’m already getting booked up for the fall/winter time! Eek!

Been busy completing some orders I took along the way and the new space has taken up some time also.

I’ll try to post the posters as they come out. Busy calendar. Keep hydrated and enjoy the summer season.