Roger Cain, a designated Cherokee National Treasure, will be the next speaker in the Cherokee Nation History series. Cain will give a presentation about river cane conservation next Thursday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cherokee Nation tribal complex.
Cain, a graduate student in the Fullbright College of Anthropology studying ethnobiology, is currently conducting graduate field research in the area of river cane conversation within the Cherokee Nation. His presentation will focus upon the significance of river cane to Cherokee history and culture. River cane has proven to be a vital ecosystem to the Cherokee as a medium for housing, weaponry, basketry, art, medicine and many other uses. While river cane was abundant before colonial expansion, it is currently considered a critically endangered botanical species and ecosystem of sizable decline, now covering less than 2 percent of the area that it originally covered in the southeastern U.S.
Cain recently received an award from the Mid-South Folk Life Foundation to conduct his graduate research while he attends the University of Arkansas. He was designated as a Cherokee National Treasure in 2007 for his expertise in traditional Cherokee masks. He and his wife Shawna, who also holds a Cherokee National Treasure designation for her basketry, live in Adair County.
The presentation is free to attend and will be held in the Cherokee Nation’s Council Chambers. Cherokee Nation, 22361 Bald Hill Road, Tahlequah, Ok 74464. For more information, call (918) 453-5389 or
e-mail cathy-monholland@cherokee.org.
http://www.cherokee.org
2009-07-20
River Cane Conservation Presentation
2009-07-11
Cut the Edge, Weave the Line
In an earlier post I told you about a fiber art exhibit at Mobilia Gallery in Cambridge, MA. The exhibit "Cut the Edge, Weave the Line, Textile Arts 2009" which includes many prominent basketmakers and fiber artists runs through July 31st, 2009.
Dwaine Best of Mobilia Gallery has sent me images from a few of the artists represented in the exhibit to share with you. 
Title: Yellow Niche
Media: Pine needles, raffia, paint, and found stones.
Dimensions: 10.5" x 5" x 3"
Title: HOME/TRUE LOVE, 2009
Media: Knotted waxed linen, beads.
Dimensions: 7.5" x 3.75" x 2.25"
Title: THE SAGA
Media: Quilted, pieced, appliqued, hand and machine stitched silk and cotton
Dimensions: 42.5" x 15" x 6"
Title: Looking Vase
Media: Twined linen and prosthetic eyes
Dimensions: 11" h x 6 " w
Title: Red Bud
Media: Wire and Colored Glass
Dimensions: 20" h x 12" diam
Nagakura Kenichi at TAI Gallery
The Japanese bamboo art of Nagakura Kenichi will be on exhibit at TAI Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico from July 11 - 18, 2009. Nagakura's sixth solo show at TAI Gallery will feature new art created over the past year.
Nagakura Kenichi's artwork is imbued with a primal energy and balance executed with a keen understanding of composition. Each piece combines classic Japanese bamboo basketry techniques with a contemporary artist's sensibility. A catalog is available online.
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