Living Traditions: Current Artwork from Native People




This show of artworks in all media from Native American artists in our area began September 17 in the galleries of the Bonifas Arts Center. The overall display is called Living Traditions: Current Artwork from Native People and is open through October 29.

Our exhibit consists of Distant Thunder, traveling works from Ferris State University by Native North American artists, and Reflections from the Great Lakes featuring regional artwork, both in the Powers Gallery. Shared Traditions in the Studio Gallery displays work from collaborations between artists and Native American youth at Hannahville Nah Tah Wahsh Academy and from Northern Michigan University’s Writing With Light project.

Guided tours are available, and workshops illuminating the methods and teachings of Native American crafts run through Saturday, October 24.

“This is a very exciting series,” said Pasqua Warstler, Bonifas Gallery and Education Director. “We’ve found artists who honor their traditions to bring us, as nearly as possible, classes that mirror the time-honored way to learn.”

“We’re grateful to the Native community for helping us with these – our sponsors are The Ubuntu Circle (Ubuntu means ‘The Spirit of Community Working Together’) and Hannahville 2% funds,” Warstler said. “The classes are underwritten by them to make them more affordable for our community.”

Prizes were awarded at the Artists Reception on September 17 by Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans, Brian Pahnke, Agent, and by The Ubuntu Circle. The Bonifas Arts Center will award a Viewers’ Choice Award in the amount of $100 at the end of the exhibit to the artwork that receives the most votes from Gallery visitors.

Winners are:

Thrivent for Lutherans Purchase Prize to Julie Snyder of Marquette for “All My Relations” and “White Birch Sings”

Thrivent Financial Choice Award of $200 to the Hannahville students for polymer figures

Thrivent Financial Choice Award of $200 to George Martin of Hopkins, Michigan, for the Dance Sticks

Ubuntu Viewers’ Choice Award of $100 to Mark Wabanimkee of Beaver Island for “Wigmass Mukuk – Bark Buckets”

Ubuntu Viewers’ Choice Award of $100 to Skip Blanc of Gladstone for carved beaded pipestem

Bay College Purchase prize to Larry Godfrey of Gladstone for Dream Catcher and two Birch Bark Baskets.

The exhibits are sponsored by funding from the Hannahville Tribe 2% fund and The Ubuntu Circle.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge to visit the Gallery or attend receptions.



The Bonifas Arts Center thanks the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs for support which helps keep Gallery exhibits free to the public.