A California Experience at The Autry’s 2019 American Indian Arts Marketplace

A California Experience at The Autry’s 2019 American Indian Arts Marketplace

By Terria Smith

 

 

Each year, The Autry Museum of the American West hosts far more than just a marketplace. The two-day event is a full program which includes a juried art show, poetry reading, a short play festival, and so much more. Fortunately for News from Native California, California Native artists were integral in all aspects of the event this year. Here’s an overview of what happened at the marketplace:

 

Juried Artshow Competition

The evening before the marketplace, The Autry hosted its annual Juried Artshow which recognizes excellence in 15 different categories. Some of the categories featured this year included beadwork, diverse cultural arts, jewelry, photography, and pottery. From this year’s competition two California Native artists received awards for their works.  

Leah Mata-Fragua (Chumash) and her husband Cliff Fragua (Jemez Pueblo) received a second place award in the sculpture category. While Clint McKay (Dry Creek Pomo/Wappo /Wintun) received a special recognition in the judge’s choice category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the “Matriarchs of Insurrection Series” by Leah Mata-Fragua and Cliff Fragua. (Photos by Terria Smith)

 

Marketplace

Hundreds of artists from all over the Western Hemisphere were a part of the marketplace and our California tribal artists were among them. They included Samuel Banegas (Kumeyaay/Luiseño), Pauli Carroll (Hupa/Yurok), Leah Mata Fragua (Chumash), Clint McKay (Dry Creek Pomo/Wappo/Wintun), and Eva Salazar (Kumeyaay). 

 

Family Activities

During both days of the event, the museum also hosted a workshop for children which was facilitated by educator Jacque Tahuka-Nunez (Acjachemen).

 

“Waging Words” Poetry Reading

Navajo photographer Pamela J. Peters presented and curated a powerful poetry reading titled “Waging Words” during both days of the marketplace. The reading featured all California Native women poets. They were Kelly Caballero (Tongva/Yaqui), Emily Clarke (Cahuilla), and Megan Dorame (Tongva) – who have all also been contributing writers to News from Native California. Adding to an overall California experience, the reading took place in the George Montgomery Gallery – the same place where the “Coyote Leaves the Res: The Art of Harry Fonseca” exhibition is showing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native Voices Short Play Festival

The Autry’s Native Voices theater program hosted a short play festival titled “Casino Place Names at the Bones, Bingo, and Blackjack.” Included in this series which was a short play written by Camaray Davalos (Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians). Participating performers in the program also included California Natives Kenneth Ray Ramos (Barona Band of Mission Indians) and Jen Olivares (Juaneño Band of Mission Indians).

 

For more information about The Autry Museum of the American West and programming there, visit https://theautry.org/