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2006 Artists In
Business Leadership
[ Cultural Capital Awards ] [ Community Spirit Awards ] [ Artist In Business Leadership ]
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Diana Passmore
Piegan (Pikuni'l') branch of the
Blackfeet
Spokane, WA
Project Description:
Diana Passmore is a world-renowned, award–winning traditional bead
artist from the Little Dog Clan of the Piegan (Pikuni’l’) branch of
the Blackfeet. Diana and her sister Kathy formed their business,
Neokistomi, in honor of their mother and Diana’s three sons. With
no formal education beyond high school, they have done extensive
reading and independent research on methods, cultural significance
and materials used by the Blackfeet in their creations.
With a part-time job and her business, her
biggest challenge is the lack of time. Her goals are two-fold, to
become competent in traditional quillwork, and to explore and
develop marketing methods. She intends to embrace the latest
technology to further the marketing of her exquisite beadwork. “I
would really also like to teach these crafts to youngsters,’ notes
Diana, “again, this takes time – and I have had very little to
spare.”
Diana has used her grant monies to allow her the time away from her
other endeavors to apprentice with a local quillworker. Diana has
documented the learning process and her quill projects through
photography and intends to complete a large quillwork project by the
end of her grant cycle.
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Charlotte Alley
Eastern Shoshone
Lander, WY
Project Description:
Charlotte “Sharky” Alley has marketed her traditional Shoshone
artwork for 28 years in Lander, Wyoming. Her remarkable Shoshone
creations include, beadwork, dolls, wood carved dolls, pipes,
headdresses, and roaches, and is working on ‘Chief Robes of
Splendor’. Eight years ago she and her daughter, Amanda, opened
their Indian Territory gift shop in Lander, Wyoming. They’ve
created a museum-like atmosphere in their ‘premier’ gift shop and
regularly host local school groups, sharing their humble beginnings
and the difficult and rewarding climb to becoming among the top
business women in Wyoming.
Sharky has used her grant
monies to purchase a computer and fax machine, allowing her to stay
in touch with clients across the nation, and to increase her
profits. Through her grant, she has also designed and ordered
marketing materials such as color postcards to advertise her
gallery. She intends to finish her grant by installing a state of
the art display at the front of her gallery that will focus on her
extensive moccasin collection.
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Christopher
Powell
Plains Cree
Denver, CO
Project Description:
Christopher Powell was introduced at an early age to sculpture by
his uncles, Lloyd and Dwight Pinay. Dwight, who sculpts in stone,
saw the talent in his nephew and encouraged his interest. Chris’
entire adult life has been dedicated to the pursuit of sculpture all
the while developing skills in mold making, metal fabrication,
welding and chemical patination. In late September 2000, Stan
Kroenke, the owner of the Colorado Avalanche, a national Hockey
League Team, commissioned Chris to produce a bronze sculpture. Just
five weeks later, the bust of a much heralded goaltender, Patrick
Roy, was presented on the ice in a lavish ceremony to celebrate the
new record of all time goaltender wins. For the past five years,
Christopher’s principal goal has been to build his body of work that
emphasizes Tribal themes as well as wildlife.
For his project Chris has
designed a kinetic sculpture based on a Buffalo Pound. He plans to
use the majority of his grant monies to finance the reproduction and
bronzing of this dynamic piece. Christopher’s principal goal has
been to build his body of work that emphasizes tribal themes as well
as wildlife. Over the course of his grant period Chris has
continued to create a body of work, travel to national art shows,
market his work, and win awards.
“I believe this work has
tremendous appeal to it as a unique design as well as historic
value. It shall bring attention to the Cree people who have not
been represented as well as they should be at Indian Market,” says
Powell.
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Merle Big
Bow Jr.
Chippewa Cree
Ronan, MT
Project Description:
Merle Big Bow, Jr. is a self-taught artist who uses all natural
materials in traditional style has been passed down by elders. “Art
is basic to life, offering spiritual experience providing
inspiration to create at the same time preserving cultural values of
Native Peoples.,” states Merle on his philosophy. Last year, Merle
began devoting his efforts to become a full-time artisan and as a
result he has attended and received awards at numerous art shows.
His focused effort has also brought him more confidence in his work
and his abilities to generate original designs and variations in
form.
Merle has used his grant
monies to purchase a digital camera and computer, and is currently
using this technology to reach additional markets and approach
galleries, in addition to creating an archive of his work. He
traveled to the Eitlejorg Indian Art Market, where he enjoyed
success. He also purchased tools and equipment that has allowed him
to pursue his goal of creating fine art sculpture, bringing the
quality and detail of his work to a new level.
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