Native Artists Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November at Antelope Valley Indian Museum
LANCASTER – California State Park’s Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park (SHP) will showcase seven Indigenous artists during Native American Heritage Month. Visitors will have an opportunity to meet and engage with the artists and purchase their artwork.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2, the museum will highlight internationally recognized gourd artist Nadiya Littlewarrior (Potawatomi/Cherokee). Nadiya founded Spirit Vessels Studio in 1993. Regarding her gourds, Nadiya says, “They are Spirit Vessels to me because The Creator makes the Gourd People and puts their spirit in them, and I get to dress them with regalia.”
Desiree Belone (Ponca/Diné) will share her art on Sunday, Nov. 9. Desiree’s art blends the ancient traditions of her Indigenous roots with contemporary forms of expression. Each piece she creates is imbued with the philosophy of “good medicine,” where natural elements such as shells, crystals and fur are thoughtfully incorporated to honor the Earth and its healing powers.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, the museum will also feature screenings of short documentaries on Native California issues produced by Giveaway Songs Television in the 1990s. Producer Kat High (Hupa) will introduce the films and answer -questions from visitors.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, the museum will host Nadia Reed, a member of the Chinook Nation in Washington State. Her Pacific Northwest Coastal Native American heritage inspired paintings convey a mixture of symbolic, expressionistic imagery of dancers, waterfalls, forests, animals, fish, masks and mythical beings.
Experience Maree Cheatam’s (Muskogee Creek/Choctaw) award-winning ceramic creations on Nov. 16. Maree says, “I grew up digging clay from Oklahoma and Texas creek beds for my doll’s dishes and dried them in the sun. Now I fire them in a kiln! My Muskogee Creek/Choctaw heritage shows in my work. Every pot I throw and paint is an expression of my love of the earth.”
Rowan Harrison (Navajo/Pueblo of Isleta), a visual artist, will display his art on Saturday, Nov. 22. He works in the mediums of ceramics and clay to create hand-built, hand coiled, and hand painted pottery that is connected to his Pueblo of Isleta/Navajo culture.
Here are details about the event:
WHAT: Art showcase featuring Native American artists.
WHEN: Nov. 1, 2, 9, 15, 16 and 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COST: $3 for ages 13 and older, free for children 12 and under. California fourth-grade students attending a public school and their families can attend for free with the California State Park Adventure Pass. Learn more about the pass and how you can download it at parks.ca.gov/adventurepass.
WHERE: Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP, 15701 East Avenue M, Lancaster.
DIRECTIONS: From State Route 14 in Lancaster, go east on Avenue K to 150th StreetEast. Turn right and go south for two miles to Avenue M. Turn left and go east on Avenue M for one mile to reach the museum.
Please note: Pets are not allowed in the museum. Service animals are welcome per California State Parks' Service Animals Policy.
For more information, please call the museum at (661) 946-3055 (711 TTY relay service) or visit its website at avim.parks.ca.gov. Follow the museum on Facebook at facebook.com/AVIndianMuseum.
California State Parks supports equal access. If you need reasonable modification or special accommodation for the event, please contact Peggy Ronning at (661) 946-3055.
About Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP
Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP showcases over 4,000 objects created by the Native American peoples of Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Visitors also enjoy the museum’s nature trail, gift shop and picnic area.
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Top row (left to right): Gourd artist Nadiya Littlewarrior (Potawatomi/Cherokee) and painter Nadia Reed (Chinook Nation). Photos from California State Parks. Bottom row (left to right): jewelry artist Desiree Belone (Ponca/Diné). Photo from California State Parks. Potter Rowan Harrison (Navajo/Pueblo of Isleta). Photo from Corina Roberts.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.