Meet Featured Artist Kristi Smith

By Tavi Lorelle Carpenter

Every artist we will get to know throughout the next couple of months has a special story and connection to their creativity that is truly inspiring. Creativity and art are good and important medicines that not only help us heal individually but also collectively.

I am pleased and excited that we are starting with Kristi Smith of Yurok, Karuk and Wintun descent and an enrolled Yurok Tribal member. Kristi is one of those people you can tell has a big heart and good sense of humor. She is immediately personable with an easy smile and “cool auntie” sensibilities. 

Her journey as an artist started as a means of documenting her family’s legacy, the traditional baskets made by family members, including her great-grandmother, master weaver Nettie McKinnon. 

“We’ve had this collection from my great grandma and my mom’s Grandma, it [had] been with me my whole life. [When] my mom had just retired and she brought the collection home, meaning Chico, even though I was in Paradise. And I [thought] these baskets need to be documented! That’s really what got me started.”

Her photos found success almost immediately, including being featured in the Redwood Hotel and Casino and photos being sold in their gift shop.  This established her to the community, rightfully as a photographer, though this title was something of a surprise. As Kristi told me, she wasn’t using any kind of fancy camera or equipment. Though in her family, she is the known documenter. 

“I’ve always been the person in the family that takes pictures. My brother [will say], “Don’t worry! Kristi’ll get the pictures!’ you know? So it was and still is more of a hobby, even though it has led to a lot of opportunities”

In 2014, Kristi was featured in “News from Native California” in the Fall issue as part of “The Rising Generation” feature. This would coincide with the expansion of her creativity including establishing her company Yurok Designs & Photography.

“I began to create a merchandise line featuring basket designs. This line of ‘wearable art’  included everything from stickers and earrings to t-shirts, onesies and hoodies. I also dabbled in glass etching. I put our designs on anything and everything.” 

She even expanded into social issues, fighting back with designs such as “Undam the Klamath” and going to standing rock, creating a “Sage Against the Machine Design”. 

Things were going well. Kristi was traveling, attending gatherings and showing her work, everything was on the up and up. But then a seismic challenge was thrown her way when in 2018 she lost everything in the Paradise Camp Fire.

“I had just done San Francisco Indigenous Day, and then all of a sudden [the fire] happened. I actually was at an event and that’s why I was not in Paradise, so that’s what saved me from the fire. I wasn’t in a good space for a while. At one point I just said, ‘[Yurok Designs and Photography is] closed’ because I was too stressed out.” 

But one thing I know for sure about California Indian people is our resilience and Kristi embodies that to her core. 

“I’m one of those people that’s like, well, just try. Then if that door opens to you, then that’s where you go.” 

That is exactly what Kristi did. 

Etsy, an online selling platform offering small sellers a digital space to sell their products, started an “Uplift Makers” program designed to offer greater opportunities for creatives. Kristi applied to be part of this program and is part of the 2023 “Esty Uplift Makers Indigenous Artisans Cohort”.

 “[Being part of the Etsy cohort] has really pushed me into go mode because they’re only giving us like three months to get ready, [It’s] really like a rebirth. It’s exciting.” 

Kristi sells everything from photography prints, clothing, earrings, to even super cute slides with a sturgeon back design! In all of her items she celebrates her culture by honoring the traditional designs, creating an interconnectedness to the past through her artistic vision.

This felt so poignant as when asking about her inspiration, Kristi shared this story from when she was just a little girl.

“Well, you know, my family is one of the families [of basket weavers] but, my Grandma was taught to assimilate. So basketry was not handed down in my family. It’s something that I feel like I’ve brought back at least to start recognizing. I feel like I get inspiration from everywhere. But the main thing has always been the [basket] designs. I still have this [memory] in my head. I’m 6 or 7, I’m laying on my back and I’m looking up at the [baskets] and I just stare at the baskets. I just love the designs. And then also, when you feel connected to the land, right? I feel so connected to the land because I know that’s where my family was. And I’m the first generation born off rez but it’s the connection. You can’t get away from it.”

I think Kristi’s story is something a lot of us can relate to. The history of what has happened in California has caused fracturing but it could never fracture connection to spirit and home. However, as a people we are still finding ways of healing. Kristi’s work, coming out of a desire to protect and share her family’s baskets, has started her on a journey of celebrating and sharing those designs to a global audience. In a country that still struggles to see California Indian people, wearing her piece or showing her photography is a way of actively combatting that. 

When it came to words of wisdom for fellow artists, Kristi had this to say: 

“You know, I think the big thing is, believe in yourself. Yeah. I think you need to always have a clean heart, good intentions-have the correct mindset, and then dream! Dream and believe in yourself. Whatever is holding you back, take that risk and believe in yourself.” 

Kristi walks her talk showing that believing in yourself, being in a good way, committing to community and taking risks really do pay off. Alongside her new store, Kristi has also been selected to participate in the North Tahoe Arts’ Holly Arts Faire in Tahoe City, opening November 10th. 

In one of our last email exchanges, Kristi told me that, “Carrying on the family name is an honor” as was creating a digital space for her family and cultural knowledge. In this way, she is not only keeping traditions alive but helping them grow and thrive. 

It takes a community! Please show your support for Kristi by visiting her online store: Yurok Designs & Photography

Or give her a follow on Instagram and FaceBook!

For information regarding the  North Tahoe Arts’ Holly Arts Faire in Tahoe City visit: https://www.northtahoearts.org/hollyarts