The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Nevada Museum of Art are hosting a free event that focuses on American Indian art, culture, community, and tradition from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 14 at the museum, 160 W. Liberty St.
Held in conjunction with Artown and with the museum’s “Second Saturday” activities, the schedule includes a variety of Native American artists, dancers, storytellers, and musicians. Traditional and contemporary art from the Washoe, Paiute, Shoshone, Pala, and Patwin tribes will also be presented.
The Indian Colony has steadily grown its Artown event the past three years, with this year expected to be one of the largest, comprehensive Native American gatherings in the West, said Arlan Melendez, chairman of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.
“For thousands of years, the Native Americans of the Great Basin have owned a beautiful, adaptive culture through ancient languages, songs, and dance,” Melendez said in a statement. “In 2018, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony is thrilled to partner with the Nevada Museum of Art to share our authentic American Indian arts with the public in this remarkable venue with the support and assistance of the distinguished, professional museum staff.”
Arts and crafts will be for sale, as will Indian tacos. Hands-on workshops for children are also planned.
“The Nevada Museum of Art is deeply honored to work alongside the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, and hope it will be the first of many collaborations,” David Walker, Nevada Museum of Art chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Nevada’s rich and varied cultures and unique geography inform what we do every day at this Museum. Nevada’s Native American traditions and culture informs the art of our region, the conversations we have about culture, and our interdisciplinary exhibition and education programs. We honor the history and vibrant culture of this place, especially the culture of Nevada’s indigenous peoples, because the story of Nevada resonates globally.”
Saturday’s schedule is as follows:
PERFORMANCES PRESENTATIONS:
10:30 a.m. | Opening ceremony with RSIC Pow Wow Club with drumming by The Mankillers and Battle Horse
11:30 a.m. | Owens Valley Paiute War Dancers
11:30 a.m. | Language and culture youth storytellers share Great Basin creation stories
12:30 p.m. | Hoop dance by Sage Romero
12:30 p.m. | Grindstone Patwin Dancers
1:30 p.m. | RSIC Eagle Wing pageant dance group
2:30 p.m. | Hoop dance by Sage Romero
3:30 p.m. | Pow Wow Club with drumming by The Mankillers and Battle Horse
PRESENTATIONS/DEMOS:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Toi Ticutta traditional Paiute Tule duck decoy demonstrations with Joey Allen
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Demonstrations by Great Basin Native Basket Weavers
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Hands-on project for children – pictographs on slate inspired by Great Basin tribes with visiting artist Sara Paschall, Pyramid Lake Paiute
LECTURES:
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. | Gallery talk with artist Jack Malotte and museum curator Ann Wolfe
Noon and 3 p.m. | Gallery talk on the Eagle Dance by Riley Stump
