2010 Artist in Business Leadership
The Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Awards »
Artist In Business Leadership »
Artist In Business Leadership
Yankton Sioux
Photograph, Film
Project Description:
David, a former Artist in Business Leadership artist (2008), is a photographer who has expanded his business to include video services which will vary from documentaries, short films and working with other film makers. In 2009, David commissioned nearly 20 filming projects. Through the purchase of multiple video cameras and quality wireless recording equipment, David will use his grant to become further self-sufficient in his business. David benefitted greatly from his fellowship in 2008, as he was able to double his arts business income in 2009. Some of David’s works can be found at www.davidbernie.com.
Blackfeet
Painter
Project Description:
Valentina has been a full time painter since 1987. Half of her art sales have been local in her community. In an effort to expand her business, Valentina will purchase a laptop/camera/printer in order to make prints, for gift shops and galleries and continue to post good quality photos of her paintings on her website, www.lapierart.com. She is also utilizing her grant to get web design training in order for her customers to purchase her paintings online. Valentina is organizing an Art Club of Blackfeet artists from her community, including youth. Her plan is to meet monthly for the purpose of sharing ideas and knowledge with one another.
Cheyenne River Sioux
Quilting
Project Description:
Bonnie has been in the business of making quilts for the past 13 years. Her quilts are significant to the Lakota culture in the colors and patterns she uses. She is dedicated to finding perfection in her piecing and quilting. Bonnie will purchase an embroidery machine to achieve this perfection and add to the value of her quilts as well as saving on outsourcing.
Sicangu/Oglala
Mixed Media
Project Description:
Martin primarily works in acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media on canvas, paper and tanned hides. His artwork can be seen in private collections, colleges, and museums across the U.S. Martin has begun his project of designing a website to display and sell his artwork. He’s purchased a laptop, Photoshop software and a camera for photographing his work. Martin is also working with a website consultant and intends to have the site launched by late fall.
Penobscot
Basketry
Project Description:
Theresa is a well known and acclaimed ash and Sweetgrass basketmaker. 80% of her income from her arts business comes from regional and national Indian art markets. She intends to better organize her artwork into a professional Native American business. To date she has purchased booth supplies such as table clothes, stands, gift bags, etc., biography/artist cards and other printed material for marketing and a digital camera for documentation and cataloging each of her pieces. Theresa will place an ad in Native Peoples, showcasing her art for the Santa Fe Indian Market. She will also take a four day trip to Cherokee, NC to learn the use of natural wood dyes. Theresa is a 2009 Community Spirit Award honoree and is a Business Success Coach for First Peoples Fund’s Art Marketing and Professional Development workshops.
Navajo, Yakama, Warm Springs, Warm Springs Confederated Tribes
Literary
Project Description:
First Peoples Fund is assisting Liz in the completion of a series of manuscripts. The process includes editorial review and preparation of the manuscripts for publication. During the months required the fellowship will free her time from pursuing independent contracts to focus on the writing and organizing of her writings, published and unpublished. She will have a poetry manuscript, a creative non-fiction collection of previously published essays, and a set of small new essays on animals to submit for publication. The first manuscript is already accepted, sight unseen with a small press that has been in existence for over thirty years, HolyCow Press.
Warm Springs, Wasco, Takama
Sculpture/Mixed Media
Project Description:
Lillian Pitt, long time alumni of First Peoples Fund, is writing a book about her ancestry based on a 10,000 plus history of ancestors living in the Columbia River Gorge, as well as her own story of survival and perseverance to create her art for 27 years. The book, with a working title of “Big River Journey”, aims at filling the void of the underrepresentation of Native American people, culture, and arts of the Columbia River region. It is in its final revision. Her grant with FPF will complete the writing. She has secured an additional $40K from other awards and donors for this project. Lillian’s latest works of art are her glass shadow spirits, shown at right. She has been given her own show of her glass pieces at a gallery in Santa Fe during Indian Market 2010.
