At the Huajatolla Heritage Festival in June 2019 we were so
honored with Shelley Morningsong and Fabian Fontanelle being our featured guest
artists. They won all our hearts with
their talent, warmth and engaging personalities. They also fell in love with all the good things
and people that make up La Veta. We
hope to have them back in 2020.
Shelley has been honored with three nominations by the
Native American Music Awards, including the most prestigious award “Entertainer
of the Year”. She is certainly deserving
of that in our book! Please help make
that a reality by casting a vote for Shelley.
She is also nominated in the “Best Blues Recording” and “Best Radio
Program”. I voted and it is somewhat
laborious as there are many categories to go through and there were only a
couple of other performers that I had any familiarity with. It just felt so good to vote for our friend,
Shelley.
Huajatolla Heritage Foundation proudly presents Edmond
Nevaquaya, Comanche, from Apache Oklahoma at the Art Of Storytelling on
Saturday, September 14 10-5PM at La Veta Mercantile. He will be one of the 4 artists displaying
and selling their Native American themed art.
Edmond will also be performing on stage during the day. At 7PM he will headline a flute concert. All events are free.
Edmond has been recognized around the world as an
ambassador of the Native American culture as well as throughout the United
States.
Edmond learned early to practice, respect and recognize the
importance of traditional Indian ceremonies and culture. He is
very knowledgeable of his Comanche traditions and culture, as well as the
beliefs, practices and cultures of the Southern Plains and the Midwestern
Anishinaabe tribes of North America.
Edmond has a kind and caring way when sharing his knowledge with people
of all colors. Edmond presently shares
his talents worldwide and locally as a prevention and life ways consultant
using his talent and knowledge of the Native American culture he was born.
Carla Romero, a self-taught artist has been drawing since
she was a young child and painting for over 25 years. We are so proud that she now makes her home
in Huerfano County.
Born in Colorado, Romero feels a strong connection to
mountains, nature and wildlife; but also a bond with the Native Americans and
the southwest. In 1987 she visited the Taos Pueblo for the first time, which
was an awakening of her art and vision and launched her pursuit of a
professional career. She got her start in a Taos gallery while still working
for a large retail chain. Within a year she was able to quit her retail job and
paint full time. Since then, Romero has achieved much acclaim as a painter of
the southwest.
by Carla Romero
She paints mainly in watercolor, but also works with
acrylics on canvas. Romero’s extraordinary and bold usage of color is clearly
only one of the defining elements that one might use in describing the feeling
and emotion that her work evokes. Her paintings are exhibited in fine art
galleries throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
She was selected as the featured artist for Legacy Art
Albuquerque in 2006, succeeding Amado Pena, Dave McGary, JD Challenger and Tom
Wheeler. Her paintings and limited edition prints are highly collectable and
are part of commercial and private collections throughout the United States and
abroad.
An important facet of Romero’s work is her strong belief
that her ideas and creativity are gifts from God. She starts each painting with
a prayer and ends with an expression of thanks, therefore there is a deep
spiritual awareness that one discovers in her work.
Arthur Short Bull is a brilliant watercolorist whose vision strives to capture the spirit of his Oglala heritage. What I hope to achieve through my work is to help others see and experience the spirit that exists in all things, states Short Bull.
White Buffalo Calf Woman
Being raised in a traditional family on the Pine Ridge reservation gives
Short Bull special insight into the history, culture and spirituality of the
Lakotas. Arthur’s great-grandfather was Grant Short Bull, uncle to famed artist
and historian, Amos Bad Heart Bull and younger brother of He Dog. In 1930, the
last of the old men who rode with Crazy Horse, He Dog and Grant Short Bull were
two of Mari Sandozs sources for her book, Crazy Horse … Strange Man of the
Oglalas.
A recipient of the 2006 First Peoples Fund Cultural Capital Program Fellowship, Arthur’s project involved utilizing his Wounded Knee series of paintings and poems as a vehicle to promote Lakota culture and history. He continues to develop this series as an educational tool to reach out to the Native community, primarily the youth, to increase their knowledge of Native history, especially in regards to Wounded Knee. He also was a 2009 First Peoples Fund Business in Leadership Fellowship recipient.
Lone Scout
Arthur was commissioned to paint one of the official White House ornaments for the 2007 Christmas tree used in the Blue Room. He also painted three ornaments for the 2007 Nebraska State Capitol Christmas Tree. In keeping with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, artists from around the country were commissioned to paint specific scenes on the softball-sized ornaments sent to them. Short Bulls challenge: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in Harrison, Nebraska. He is a frequent artist-in-residence at Agate Fossil Beds Monument.
Long recognized for an ongoing series on Wounded Knee and images of the Ghost Dance, Arthur
presents new work on this theme
as well as images inspired by the Siouan mystery
clan societies and shamans. New work appears in another ongoing theme, Wind
Women. Short Bulls recent projects include Lakota Dreams — Black Elks Vision
as well as an ongoing series
honoring Tasunka Witko (Crazy Horse).
Wounded Knee
Long recognized for an ongoing series on Wounded Knee and images of the Ghost Dance, Arthur
presents new work on this theme
as well as images inspired by the Siouan mystery
clan societies and shamans. New work appears in another ongoing theme, Wind
Women. Short Bulls recent projects include Lakota Dreams — Black Elks Vision
as well as an ongoing series
honoring Tasunka Witko (Crazy Horse).
David Behrens is a nationally acclaimed artist whose
sensitivity and insight into Native American culture and history have placed
him in the forefront of this growing art movement. His unique approach of
blending iconic Native American images and moving, provocative themes cut to
the heart and have made him one of the most sought after and collectible
artists in the nation and abroad.
Five Cent Peace
The art of David Behrens is distinct, heartfelt and
instantly recognizable. His style of painting blends realism, concept and
imagination all built around provocative portions of Native American history
and culture. “Art has always been a natural extension of who I am, a flow
that has coursed through me as far back as I can remember”. Seeing his talent
for art as a gift, and a gift by definition is something that cannot be earned
but only received, David feels that being an artist is both a privilege and an
immense responsibility. Bearing this truth within himself David shares “I
believe the goal of every one of my paintings is to let the story, the emotion,
the mystic fire move through me and into the painting.” Elaborating
further David adds “The concepts and statements I weave into my paintings
are so much bigger than I am. The feelings I give voice to are not just my own
but in a sense my paintings echo a collective consciousness, articulate a
deeper truth and emotes for the hearts of many. I am always humbled when I am
aware this is happening. There is a certain healing energy that flows through art,
as if God was whispering his kindness to a weary soul.”
The artists RAYMOND and GABBY TENORIO of Santo Domingo Pueblo are a perfect representation and Guardians of the tradition of KEWA PUEBLO.
The Tenorio’s will bring their exquisite bead jewelry to the La Veta Mercantile as part of the Art of Storytelling event on September 14th 10-5PM.
Since the beginning of times the Pueblo has been well known for its ability to make the most colorful natural jewelry. Beads, inlays, heishi form divine combination of colors and forms… all with just the eyes for measuring tool!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH, 10-5 PM: THE ART OF STORYTELLING at the La Veta Mercantile Huajatolla Heritage Foundation proudly presents four incredible artists that each portray the story of Native Americans in their own unique interpretation. Timothy Nevaquaya, Carla Romero, David Behrens and Arthur Short Bull will be showing (and selling) their work. You will be able to meet the artists and learn the understanding and motivation that fuels their creativity. During the day there will be presentations on stage regarding the rich contributions of Native Americans. In addition to his impactful artwork, Timothy Nevaquaya is also recognized as one of the finest Native American flute players in the country and his flute music will be shared during the event. Timothy also will offer a presentation on Native American Weather Prophecy. His wife, Alicia, an environmental lawyer representing tribal interests will present some of the issues she is working with. Alicia is also a Kiowa basket maker and will be doing demonstrations. This promises to be a day of riches and learning. Free. Donations appreciated!
The long-awaited summer has arrived…. and now it seems to be evaporating! There are many events occurring here in the Cuchara Valley. We are blessed with an abundance of amazing talent. We still have high hopes of being able to host the much (and deservedly) acclaimed author Kent Nerburn in a workshop in Cuchara September 14th and 15th. With group participation, he will share is insights on Native American spirituality, love of nature and place, and the core of our creative selves.The total number of participants is limited to 40 so that there can be an intimacy in sharing Mr. Nerburn as well as the other facilitators in making this a most meaningful event. Deadline for registrations is August 1st. Please register now before things fill up, or contact us if you would like more details.
Join us at the Francisco Fort Museum in La Veta Colorado 306 S. Main St. this weekend. Free admission to the museum and events. Great Vendors & Great Food.
SATURDAY JUNE 8TH – 10AM TO 5PM
Opening; Festival Blessing, Drumming Raising of the tipi Oress DeHerrera -Traditional Hispanic music Tomas of Atzalan Drumming Children Dancing Flute playing Shelley & Fabian Storyteller; La LLorona Live Music
BENEFIT CONCERT
Shelley Morningsong & Fabian Fontenelle 7pm at La Veta Mercantile: $18 in advance, $20 at the door
Opening, Festival Blessing, Drumming Drumming, Flute, Dancing Hip Hop Kids Crew Shelley & Fabian Live Music Taking down the tipi Drumming closing ceremony
Jason Younis Y Delgado & Sean Wells
Saturday & Sunday at La Veta Library 11am | Sean Wells – Traditional Hispano Art/Day of the Dead 12pm | Celinda Kaelin – Native Americans of Pikes Peak area 1pm | David Behrens – Native American Story told through Art 2pm | Jason Younis Y Delgado – Tinsmithing through 5 Generations
Celinda Reynolds Kaelin is a poet, author, lecturer, and ethnohistorian who is privileged to work and study with indigenous Elders and spiritual leaders from over seventy First Nations.
Celinda is a Cherokee grandmother who has dedicated her life to the healing of the Sacred Hoop, and follows the Lakota spiritual traditions as a Pipe Carrier and a Sun Dancer. She has completed fifteen Sun Dances with the Lakota. She is proud to be an adopted member of both the Lakota Nation and the Ute Nation.
Celinda Reynolds Kaelin
She is a member of the World Council of Elders, and has traveled extensively with these traditional spiritual Elders, performing Earth healing ceremonies in North and South America. Kaelin is adjunct professor at Colorado College, and is the author of six books, including, Journey Song: A spiritual Legacy of the American Indian (Four Directions, 1998), Pikes Peak Backcountry (Caxton, 1999), American Indians of the Pikes Peak Region (Arcadia, 2008), and Ute Legends (Caxton, 2017).
