Muckenthaler Cultural Center

The Muckenthaler window at John Wayne Airport
www.themuck.org

Dec 2012 - March 2013

Amongst all the hustle and bustle of terminal C at the John Wayne Airport, there is this long corridor where random weary and heart filled travelers jockey from one terminal to the next. Along the newly contemporary glass filled corridor sits on one side a handsome row of freshly installed exhibition cases.  These impressive glass cases that rise from the floor up to the ceiling is where the Muckenthaler has an exciting exhibit showcasing all the programs, exhibitions, memorabilia and fact filled information about the cultural center. 

There is an impressive display of art work supporting the culturally enriched program that the Muckenthaler has to offer.  Classes in book making, quilting, photography, performing arts and one of the centers stronger programs the ceramics program are well represented.  

Within this well put together and curated exhibit sits two of my hand built, hand coiled and hand painted vases.  It brings back vivid memories of a group exhibition and the excitement and prestige of my previous showing at the John Wayne Airport back in 2007 with the O.C. Contemporary Ceramics Exhibit.  Although that exhibit was displayed in a passenger only area of the airport, this exhibit is open for the general public for all to see.  Hopefully the cornucopia of travelers going to and from from all points and destinations from around the world, will take the time to check out the exhibit and support the center and its all accommodating enriching programs. 

Satwiwa

Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center
http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/satwiwa-native-american-indian-culture-center.htm

The road, the journey, the painstaking odyssey of it all, has its rich destinies, people, places and events that all have their special little meanings. Personally, some of these itineraries has taken me to some very spiritual destinations such as Mesa Verde, Acoma Sky City, Chaco Canyon, and of course my homeland the Navajo and Pueblo of Isleta reservations all encompassing rich natural beauty and wonder, with an aura of religious and spiritual wonderment that pierces the heart, mind and soul.  

One such place that has been on the schedule for the past 3 years is the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, tucked away on the western end of the Santa Monica mountains national recreation area.  This small humble yet meaningful center and area has been home to the Chumash people and the Tongva people.  Its one of the more tranquil and spiritual settings that I have had the opportunity to present and share my work in.  There is this wonderful quiet spiritual element that hovers over the grassy rolling hills and rises over the ancient natural stone bluffs.  With its lush hill sides and natural trees and vegetation Satwiwa is ripe for outdoor enthusiasts.  The tranquil landscape is emblazoned with many trails for hiking, mountain biking, jogging and soul searching afternoon walks.  If you listen closely you can hear the whispers and chants of the Chumash people echoing within the rustling leaves and the gentle delicate breezes that come from the pacific ocean and through the hills and valleys of this enchanting natural environment. 


For the past 3 years I have had the opportunity to be a part of their cultural program, by demonstrating, lecturing, presenting my work and talking about Native American pottery and in general my culture. The center has a yearly program of Native American cultural events, such as storytelling, dancing, flute music, basketry making and other programs that support and represent American Indian culture.  They have many guests speaker and artists programs that allow visitors to learn and create a little something special.  It's always a wonderful and pleasant feeling to be greeted by all the wonderful Satwiwa Rangers and their charming ranger uniforms, right out of Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom.  This staff of dedicated and knowledgeable individuals are all a part of the National Park Service, which I have had the wonderful pleasure of working with for the past 3 years.  

So looking for some outdoor adventure with intriguing cultural enriching programs, drive west on the 101 fwy, take the Wendy Drive exit right past Thousand Oaks, make a few lefts and rights through the quiet suburban neighborhood and within minutes you find yourself nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains with the always present Boney Mountain, inviting you with open arms to explore all that Satwiwa has to offer. 

Autry National Center

Autry National Center   

www.theautry.org 

For the past several years the Native American Indian Art Market has been a constant refuge on the Two Tribes pottery trail.  This annual event which is in the early week of November draws some of the most affluent, talented and eclectic Native American artists from different points and directions across the U.S.

While the show itself has changed its programming format over the years, the heart and agenda always remains the same.  Bringing together indigenous people representing their cultural heritage through the arts and the collectors and buyers that support and encourage these artistic individuals. The quality and media is always as diverse and innovative year after year,  with work in jewelry, painting, mixed media, wood work, pottery and metal work.  Photography is always proudly displayed along with textiles and the intricate, interwoven complexity of basketry. To support art show, the Autry compiles a wonderful program throughout the course of the weekend consisting of Native American singing, performers, storytellers, demonstrators and the always popular American Indian dancing.

Always held on the grounds of the Autry National Center in Griffith Park a few minutes from the bustling cosmopolitan center of downtown L.A.  This beautiful museum supports the history of the American West and has always been a promoter and a collector of Native American Art.  The collection which has an exhaustive 500,000 pieces of artifacts representing western culture and heritage which includes Native American people as well, is one of the biggest museum of its kind.  With its many programs and rotating exhibitions the Autry and its staff has always been a dedicated, friendly and supportive group.  Accommodating the artists, their friends and families to an always fun and rewarding event.  Highlights are the artist and member reception dinner, always held on the Friday evening before the weekend show, it is an opportunity for the artist the members of the museum and the collectors to socialize, mix and mingle over a spectacular dinner with all the trimmings.

It is also an evening to recognize the artists, their efforts through the Autry's art contest, an exciting evening is always on hand as we exhibit the top place finishers in each of the designated categories.

Of course the best thing about the show is to reconnect and meet up with old an new friends and artists to get together talk shop about the whole art scene and what is occurring out their in the field. It is always a time to get inspired from other peoples work, to witness the progression and changing styles of all the artists.  To listen to their stories, their walks of life, the journeys they have taken far and wide.  Even more importantly is to always talk and interact with the public to get their views on ones work and on the work of others, their encouragement, support and appreciation of what we do, is the driving mechanism to continue on the Two Tribes trail, a real POW WOW of sorts.

Indian Fair and Market, Heard Museum

53rd Annual Heard Muesem Guild, Indian Fair and Market, Phoenix, AZ  March 5 and 6 2011

Now from the lush surburban hillsides of La Habra California we travel east on interstate 10 across the vast desolate desert of california and across the great blue shimmering majestic colorado river.  Which takes us into the Grand Canyon state of Arizona and into a rocky lunar landscape littered with monolithic green cacti stretching their prickly limbs into the big blue arizona sky. 

Quartzsite a small little desert community, charming to say the least, but for the avid rock and gem collector a must see place, with gift shops specializing in earthy rock treasures large and small.  After a brief stop at a roadside outdoor market full of gems and natural eye candy, it was off and deeper into the arizona landscape, a few hours later small homes begin to scatter what seems to be an uninhabital enviornment, and soon just beyond the horizon, the downtown Phoenix landscape rises above the desert floor with rocky mountainsides caressing its metropolitan mirage. 

bronze sculpture on the museum grounds

This is the site for the Heard Museums annual indian fair and market, the museum which specializes in native american arts and culture, one of Phoenix's premier museums, has been promoting and coordinating this large scale show for 53 years, bringing native american artist from all parts of the U.S. to show and sell their spiritual heritage through their arts.  A wonderful show indeed which has a long list of programs ranging from native american dance, singing, music, food and indigenous art in a vast array of mediums.  This two day event host a little more than 500 artists and attracts 20 to 30 thousand visitors during the two day festival, a real smorgasborg of artist, collectors, buyers and of course, the curious and the appreciative in native american culture and art. 

downtown Phoenix, AZ

my booth and pottery on display

the museum grounds

people browsing around the festival

of course such events not only bring the native american art community together but friends and family, my Navajo family   from the left my aunt Rosely, Mom, auntie Rosemary, cousing Jonathan, and my Pops, never a dull moment

51st Annual Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts

HillCrest Festival of Fine Arts

1st place ribbon in the clay and glass division

Up in the charming and lovely community hillside of La Habra Heights, California, sits the quaint, tranquil, spiritual and picturesque congressional church of Hillcrest.  Through out the course of the year the church's main agenda is to bring and share the holy word of God and his unmeasured love to the community and its surrounding areas, but there is one weekend in february that the church allows the spirit of creativity and indiviualist artistic spirit to encompass the church grounds, in the form of its annual Festival of fine arts.  Hillcrest has been a long supporter of the art community for 51 years now, and its always a pleasure and opportunity to show, sell and demonstrate my work, during this 2 day period.  

my demonstration table with my display in the background

"Transitions" a series of  plates mounted on a wood panel 

Demonstrators, demonstrating their work.

"Transistions" hangs proudly in one of the church's gallery rooms

the church grounds of hillcrest and the artshow

Palm Springs Art Festival

The Palms Springs Art Festival, Palms Springs, CA

Oh my friends it was a chilly, blustery, stormy, yet at times a sunny weekend in the desert that is home to such luminaries as Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Sonny Bono and everyone's favorite public station traveler Huel Howser.  During the presidents day weekend last month in February it was weekend with a variety of art festival in the palm springs area one being the Palm Springs Art Festival, located on the palm springs festival grounds near the airport just east of the intersection of Gene Autry Trail and Ramona Blvd. 

This annual juried event which featured 175 artists showing and selling a wide arrange of art in a wide arrange of mediums, is the focal point of this entry.  Having been selected by the events coordinator, during the Native American Art show at the Gene Atury National Center back in november of 2010, I was looking forward to showing and selling for the first time in Palm Springs word out on the streets is the Palm Springinites live a luxurious life style out in that california desert.  But let me tell you brothers and sisters, it was a tough show, sales were modest, the weather was a bit foul, crowds were sparce, but all in all it was a good time. Chatted and met a few of the other artists and spent my evenings at a charming little pub called the Palm Springs Tavern, a fine establishment indeed.  Being an outdoor event, luckily when it rained and it did, it rained during the evening and early morning hours, leaving the days partly cloudy with a chilly wind blowing through the festival grounds, not to mention the snow covered mountains were just spectacular.  However come to think of it when the sun shined its bright rays of light at times it actually became a bit warm.  All in all it was a decent show, it was organized and the staff were friendly and courteous, perhaps next year will be a better year, with better weather, but never a dull moment in the exciting world of art. 

Muzeo / Anaheim Museum

This entry is and has been a long time coming, back in the early 2000's the begining on a new milinieum and very early in my artistic career, I was approached by the what was then the Anaheim Museum, which at that point in time occupied the historic Anaheim Public Library on the corner on Anaheim blvd and broadway.  The Museum at that time had an exciting vision and plans for a total restoration and expansion of their small yet charming museum.  

pottery on display at the Anaheim Museum

 Part of this new development was a permanent exhibition, entitled the History of Anaheim.  This portion of the museums collection  would consist of artifacts that are a part of Anaheims history, from historical records, Disneyland momentos, personal items from the very early residents and community leaders.  Another key component of this exhibition, would represent artifacts that pertained to the very early indigenous people that inhabited the land that was to become Anaheim.  Part of this portion of the exhibit would consists of basketry, ornamental treasure, tools and pottery ware that the early inhabitants would have used in their daily lives.

broken fire pit pottery 

 Some of the items were easily found or collected, however the pottery was a bit of a connundrum to gather for all parties involved with the project.  During this time I was participating in the museums life drawing and painting program that was offered on saturday mornings, a fine program it was.  One day I summoned the courage to share my pottery work with the coordinator of the life painting and drawing program, while impressed with my pottery work, there wasn't much they could offer in terms of showing or selling at the museum.  However a couple months later the coordinator approached me with an offer to construct pottery that would resemble what the indigenous natives would have used and these pots would be used in the permanent exhibition.   An almost instant vision came to my mind as to what these pots should look like and after careful research coupled with enrolling into a semester of ceramics at Fullerton College which gave me the knowledge on raku and pit fired pottery, these are the pots that became the final pieces for the museums permanent collection.

It was an incredibly fun and fulfilling project, to construct and design
the pots.  The overall construction was a no brainer as I was already practing pottery in the hand coiled method, however it was the overall look of the pots that I didn't no how to acquire.  Working in just one methond of ceramics and not having a broader knowledge of the ceramic arts.  It forced me to take a semester of ceramics and understand the method of outdoor pit fired pottery which is somewhat similiar to raku.  This was a wonderful opportunity for me and became a major catalyst in furthering my knowledge and admiration for the ceramic arts.  It also helped me to become more serious about what I was doing and to further inspire me to promote and show my work to a much greater degree.  So if you are in Anaheim, CA please check out the Muzeo/Anaheim Museum, Anaheim's premier establishment for the arts, and make sure you check out their installment of the History of Anaheim.

large terra cotta pot hand coild and pit fired

hand coild hand built pot pit fired for that smokey charred look

entry way in the Anaheim Museum/Muzeo History of Anaheim

the beautiful and new look to the Anaheim Museum, Anaheim, CA

large open bowl hand coiled in red clay body and pit fired