Black Hills Indian Artist Market Holiday Show: Something for everyone’s tastes

Jim Yellow Hawk has refined his niche in the Native American art market with his signature style of ledger art with traditional imagery often beautified with Kimimila (butterflies) Tusweca (Dragon flies). (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

RAPID CITY – Indigenous art that illuminates the artscape of He Sapa is essential to the “heart of everything that is.” And many indigenous artists augment their incomes by selling their works at local art markets and shows.

However, during the pandemic, many professionals, whose sole means of survival is their ability to access these markets, were hit hard.

So artists Lorri Ann Two Bulls and her cousin Duwana Two Bulls came up with an ingenious way to subvert the impact the shutdowns were having on their way of life.

Lorri Ann Two Bulls displaying her artwork embellished with her signature traditional geometric and floral designs. Lorri Ann was instrumental in organizing the Black Hills Indian Art Market Holiday Show. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

“We are a family of artists. Our sons are musicians and we were all hit really hard by the pandemic,” Lorri Ann said. “We contacted the Dahl and they really worked with us. We were able to secure a missions rate for space. We were able to offer table spaces to the artists for $40 each.”

After they contacted the Dahl they set out planning what became known as the Black Hills Indian Artist Market. This past weekend was the third art exhibition they’ve organized and was called the Black Hills Indian Artist Market Holiday Show, just in time for Christmas. The event turned out be more than just an art show, it was more of an art experience, where attendees were fully immersed in the art, culture, song and dance of local indigenous people.

Martin Red Bear displaying his trademark traditional pictographic and hide painting style artwork which he combines with contemporary painting techniques and materials. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

On Saturday December 3, from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. at the Vucurevich Event Center at the Dahl, the local community was privileged to view and purchase work from award winning artists; Martin Red Bear, Jim Yellow Hawk, Linda and Paul Szabo, Iris Sully, Steve Barba, Galen Laroche, Lorri Ann Two Bulls, Jhon Goes in Center, Gene Swallow, Wade Patton, Ray Janis, James Star Comes Out, Joelle Follows the Road, Patricia Whithorne, Debbie Rattling Leaf, Michael Two Bulls, John Beheler, Alex Romero, Dwayne Wilcox, Jesse Taken Alive-Rencountre, Michael Patton, Tani Gordon, Don Montileaux, Jennifer White, Molina Two Bulls-Parker, Bryan Parker, Bobbie Parker, Dustin Twiss, Una Howe, Stan Hawkins, Tosa Two Hearts, Sheldon Starr, Samantha Ecoffey, Danielle and Janie Hudpeth, Shannon Meeks, Pati Belgarde-Cornelius, Marty Two Bulls Sr. and the Oglala Lakota College Students Arts booth.

Native Designs by Iris Sully a Sicangu Lakota Artist from Rosebud created adorable miniature tipis, cradleboards, moccasins and mittens as Christmas tree decorations. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

Artist Jim Yellow Hawk who was meticulously disassembling his booth, said the show was worth the effort as he was able to secure a few sales, “It was pretty good.”

During the day, art aficionados enjoyed an Indigenous fashion show organized by Duwana Two Bulls. Featured designers were Alex Romero, Tosa Two Heart, Patricia Whithorne, Samantha Ecoffey and Beverly Pipe on Head.

Also featured on the Vucurevich stage was the “Dances with Words” Rising Star Poets; Pte San Win Little Whiteman, Ashanti Martin, Jaxsyn Claymore with Elder Story Teller Victor Swallow. Entertainment during the day was also provided by Spur Pourier and Terry Holiday.

Eyapaha for the day’s activities was Chris Eagle Elk with Drum Group Manual Black Bear and Creekside.

The event also featured “make and take” art projects for “the kiddos” where they also enjoyed live art presentations. For the seamstresses in the community, there was a ribbon skirt contest as well, with awards for first, second, and third place.

Bringing joy and laughter to the event were Indigenous stand-up comedians Tyler Corbine and Sheldon Starr who tickled our funny bones. Indians love to laugh and every now and then you could hear an auntie say, “Eeeee—not that bad.”

The “House was a Rockin” when Waylon Mendoza and the Hermanos took the stage at the Black Hills Indian Art Market Holiday Show performing their rendition of many Stevie Ray Vaughn hits. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

The highlight of the evening was when the “House was a Rockin” with the live band performance of “Waylon Mendoza and the Hermano’s” and their rendition of Stevie Ray Vaughn hits like “Pride and Joy.” The bands consists of Waylon Mendoza on lead guitar, Dyami Giroux on bass and Uncle George Mendoza on Drums. After their performance at the Dahl the Hermano’s were off to “445” for another live performance in downtown Rapid City.

The Miller Light Orchestra. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

Next up was the “Miller Lite Orchestra” that entertained the audience with Old Time Country Classics like “Tiger by the Tail” “Crazy Arms” and “Together Again.” The bands consists of J. Waylon Miller on lead guitar and Vox, Patrick Flemming on that ol’ Steel Guitar, Travis Rykema on rhythm guitar, Jerrod Barnhardt on bass, and Lee Strubinger on drums and Vox.

Talon Bazille

The mood was switched up with hip-hop performances by Stella Standing Bear and Talon Bazille who are definitely up and coming rappers on the younger generation music scene.

The evening ended with an energetic performance by the Heavy Metal Rock music of “The Carion Crawlers” from Kyle. Band members consist of William Thunder Horse on lead guitar, Troy Janis on bass and Lesaine Little Whiteman on drums.

 

 

Guests of the Black Hills Indian Artist Market Holiday Show were treated to Walking Tacos served by sisters Twila and Lorri Ann Two Bulls.

Twila Two Bulls with her beautiful handcrafted roses. Twila served guests Walking Tacos. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)

Duwana Two Bulls, who organized the fashion show said she was grateful to the Dahl, “They are really good about working with us.”

Another art show is scheduled for April. For more info contact Lorri Ann (605) 407-8157 or Duwana (605) 431-2505

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa at anunkasanhupa@gmail.com)

 

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