Native Pop: People of the Plains 2022

 

 

 

RAPID CITY—Nearly 50 established and emerging Great Plains Native visual and preforming artists gathered at Main Street Square on July 9 & 10, 2022, for the 10^th Annual Native Pop: People of the Plains art show, market and cultural celebration. This free event welcomed tourists and locals to celebrate this juried indigenous event that showcased original artwork, cultural demonstrations, dances, fashion shows and musical performances.

To celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the event, organizers hosted for the first time a two day festival. Native Pop began on Friday July 8 with a ticketed artist award reception. $18,500 in prize money was awarded to several artists in attendance on the evening before the show began. The two-day festival also included a chance for attendees to vote for their favorite artist by placing tokens in the voting cans present on every artist booth where they could also purchase original artwork.

The 2022 People’s Choice award and Division II B award winner for photography was Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal member Eunice Straight Head; an up-and-coming photographer and indigenous fashion designer. This 23-year-old artist is currently working on a series called “No Name Indian” and she is constantly creating art through various mediums including fashion, design, styling, photography and even beadwork.

“I just learned how to sew this year,” Straight Head said. “I started making ribbon skirts and had a bigger vision for what I wanted to do and started creating outfits.”

Straight Head was the catwalk model for her own unique creation at the fashion show Sunday afternoon. If you would like to know more about her artwork, please follow her on social media @StraightHeadPhotography or her website: www.straightheadphotography.squarespace.com.

This year’s musical showcase featured The Reddmen, Arrow Evolution, Welby June and Wanbli Ohitikawin. Tiana Spotted Thunder, and Bert Malcom. A most fitting finale to what Elevate Rapid City has named a signature event was a captivating performance by seasoned artist Scotti Clifford & The Spirits Cry.

“Elevate Rapid City has told us that we are the biggest event at Market Square all year. We are now designated a signature event and will continue to have a two day festival and will continue to grow every year,” said LaFawn Janis Executive Director of Native Pop.

(Contact Estella Claymore at estella.claymore@gmail.com)

 

The post Native Pop: People of the Plains 2022 first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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