‘Artizens’ celebrate Racing Magpie grand opening

RAPID CITY – Racing Magpie’s Block Party was rocked over the weekend by the raw heavy metal jams of the Carrion Crawlers. Troy, Lesain and William, homegrown musicians from Kyle, were among a line-up of performers who were invited to entertain the hundreds of “artizens” who braved to heat to enjoy the Grand Opening of Racing Magpie’s new location.

For the second week in a row, there has been a confluence of art and culture connoisseurs enjoying the creativity of gifted Native American artists and musicians. Last weekend Native Pop hosted their 10^th Annual People of the Plains Art Show, Market and Cultural Celebration at Market Square. This weekend, the festivities took place at 801 E. St. Andrew, the new home of Racing Magpie.

Organizers set up several outdoor canopies under which attendees created hands-on art projects sponsored by First Peoples Fund‘s Rolling Rez Arts. Mike Marshall, a traditional artist from Rosebud, demonstrated the ancient craft of parfleche box making. Charly and Cinnamon Cuny conducted a painting session where participants created their own masterpieces.

On the ground floor level of the  new home of Racing Magpie, artists Alex Romero Frederick, Galen LaRoche, Wade Patton, Gene Swallow, Ray “Rock Boy” Janis, Lorri Ann Two Bulls, Twilla Two Bulls, and Bobbi L. Two Bulls Parker set up booths showcasing their creations.

Lori Ann Two Bull’s newest creations are called “Okanke” or chairs decorated with her signature traditional geometric and floral designs. On the seat of each chair are various images including a couple with the image of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo and one with Itancan Tatanka Iyotake, Chief Sitting Bull.

Ray “Rock Boy” Janis shared his piece. titled “All we want to be is free” (highlighting the recent overturning of Roe vs. Wade), garnered second place in mixed media at the Heritage Center Art Show at Red Cloud Indian School.

“I created the work before the ruling came out and won just as they announced the decision,” he said. “It was very fitting.”

Galen LaRouche shared the painstaking process used in the creation of his award-winning panoramic photographs. “I take several pictures and piece them together in photoshop,” he said. One spectacular image is that of “Dignity” the 50-foot-tall stunning sculpture that overlooks the Missouri River at Chamberlain, which he said is the composite of eight photographs.

Upstairs in the new facility were the studio artists who have been at Racing Magpie for years. Dwayne Wilcox sitting next to his whimsical painting titled “A real man will hold your purse” shared a thoughtful insight into the ancient art of pictograph drawing.

“It was ancient journalism. It’s how they kept track of events,” Wilcox said and then expressed his desire to record historical familial events including his grandfather’s first encounter with a car. “The first time he saw a car, it was being pulled by a team of horses,” he laughed. “I would like to draw that.”

Also sharing studio space in the new facility are Jhon Goes In Center of Lakota Jewelry, and Stan Hawkins who creates traditional Lakota arts.

Outside on the new Racing Magpie grounds, two food trucks were set up to provide eats for Block partiers, Papa’s Frybread Wagon and Bean There, Done That. Inside, Lakota Sewing Circle provided traditional Lakota soups.

Other musical entertainment was provided by The Miller Lite Orchestra who performed old time Country and rock and The Wake Singers. The finale was a compelling and insightful performance by rap artist “Bazille” from Cheyenne River.

“Daku sni, that is me, I prefer to be called nobody,” Bazille, with his face painted white with black lightning streaks coming out of his eyes, rapped. Bazille said he has been recording since he was in Eighth Grade and that his relatives Galen Eberhardt and L.J. Pearman provided him the recording space and encouraged him to pursue his art.

Exhibiting artists for the event also included Jaida Grey Eagle and Wanápín Sapá Wíŋ.

According to event organizer and Racing Magpie owner Peter Strong, recording artists Michael, Reed and Douglas Two Bulls were instrumental in lining up performances for the event.

Racing Magpie is owned and operated by Peter Strong and Mary Bourdeaux. Strong said that the decision to move from their former location inside the Aby’s Feed and Seed building in the downtown area was based not only on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but also spatial needs.

“We spent our first five years (2015-2020) developing a vibrant space in the former Aby’s Feed and Seed building (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) located in downtown Rapid City. After more than a year of community engagement about our spatial needs and the drastic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we chose not to renew our lease on that property,” they wrote on their website.

“We have developed a space in Rapid City, South Dakota, that is a contemporary nexus and hub for creativity, congregation, sustainability, and learning, with a focus on Native and regional artists. In early 2021 we leaned into our community and found support to purchase buildings in another part of Rapid City. We spent 2021 renovating one of the buildings and rooting ourselves in our new location.”

“The space includes a modern Native art gallery, studios for Native artists, shared working spaces, flexible creative community space, and opportunities for collaborative projects, networking, and exposure. There is room to grow in the future to meet the needs of our community!”

“As you can see, it takes a lot of people and talent and hard work (lots of sweat yesterday!!) to pull off a great party. A huge thank you to all of you and all the old and new friends we saw yesterday. We hope to make this a semi-regular event, so stay tuned for more information after we get a chance to rest up!” staff wrote on Racing Magpie’s Facebook page.

Racing Magpie staff also gave special thanks to Oyate Health Center for providing free COVID testing to staff and artists to add another layer of community safety and care to the event.

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Was Te’ at cahunpigiwin@gmail.com)

 

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