Neshkinukat (One who has relatives) has an exhibit in Los Angeles
By Kat High (photos by Mark Laurila)
Neshkinukat is proud to announce an exhibit, inspired by “The Sweet Breathing of Plants”, edited by Linda Hogan, at the LA County Arboretum library in Arcadia. It features a wide variety of mediums, including baskets, gourds, sculpture, ceramics, paintings, and photography focused on our connections to our Native green world. The opening reception took place October 9 ,with a blessing by Julia Bogany (Tongva), and Tima Link (Chumash) as our keynote speaker. Tima shared her cradleboard and baby basket made from tule and willow, for her eminent new arrival.
The exhibit will continue until our Winter Solstice closing on Dec 21. Featured artists are Gail Werner, curator, Nadiya Littlewarrior(Potawatomi), Nadia Reed(Chinook), Valena Dismukes (Choctaw), Corina Roberts(Cherokee), Tima Lotah Link (Chumash), Rowan Harrison (Navajo/Isleta), Maree Cheatam (Cherokee), Claudia Brentwood (White Earth Objibwa), Dawn Jackson (Saginaw Chippewa), and L.Frank Manriquez (Ajachemen/Tongva). We will also hold a screening of “Tending the Wild” with a panel discussion of ways to bring these principles into our urban lives, a kids art day, and a reading of essays and poems by women writers on our green world. This exhibit was funded by the California Council for the Humanities.
Neshkinukat. Founded in 2001, as the California Native Artists Network, a loose, informal net of Native artists in diverse mediums, to create a unified voice within the California Native artists’ community. Initial organizational funding was provided by the California Arts Council.
Founding members were L. Frank Manriquez, Janeen Antoine, Victoria Bomberry, Kat High, and Richard Bugbee, with assistance from Jay LaPlant, and Carolyn Kualii. We were able to bring together Native Artists in gatherings in both Northern and Southern California, and in 2002 published a directory of Neshkinukat artists. Included in the directory were Dugan Aguilar, George Blake, Corine Green Sky, Geri Keams, Lanny Pinola, Susie moore, Barbara Pace, Monique Sonoquie, Billy Soza Warsoldier. Funding sources dwindled, and back in those days, it was difficult to keep a loose network taut.
In 2013, we created a juried art exhibit at the Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center in Angeles National Forest. Billy War Soldier (Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians) was one of our judges. From that collection of contemporary and traditional artists, the idea of an artists’ network was revived. Former organizers were contacted, and their blessings given. Lo and behold – we now have a digital network. No more smoke signals! Since that time we have created a website with artists listed – exhibits posted, and a Facebook page with photos, info on events and artists, articles about out events. Membership is open to Native artists in California.
We have been able to participate in group shows including a series at Senior arts colonies in North Hollywood, Long Beach, and San Pedro, the Newhall Old Town Library, and as part of the First Peoples’ exhibit at the San Fernando Art and Culture Center. We participated in 2016 in the Native Artists exhibit on the Bridge from LA City Hall to the parking lot to honor Native American Heritage month, and will again be featured on the Bridge. Our artists have also been featured at the Satwiwa Native American Indian Cultural Center in Newbury Park.
Check out we website, www.neshkinukat.com, or our Facebook page. Neshkinukat. An ongoing loose network of native artist encouraging and supporting each other, and creating group events to make our work more visible.
