Smoki Museum hosts sixth Southwest Indian Arts Festival

John Sneezy, a hoop dancer from the San Carlos Apache reservation performed at the Smoki Museum’s 6th Annual Indian Arts Festival Memorial Day weekend. Sneezy performed only one final hoop dance but it was his traditional song and performance that really impressed the visiting museum crowd.

John Sneezy, a hoop dancer from the San Carlos Apache reservation performed at the Smoki Museum’s 6th Annual Indian Arts Festival Memorial Day weekend. Sneezy performed only one final hoop dance but it was his traditional song and performance that really impressed the visiting museum crowd.

PRESCOTT, Ariz. - The history of the Smoki Museum both statewide and nationally wasn't a very stellar one. One impression is that it was just a "good ole boys club" comprised of rich business owners and cowboys looking to raise some quick cash from tourists. They did this by holding a series of fake Indian dance performances derived from real southwestern tribes.

Today, however, there is much more respect shown toward Native American cultures. In place of the fake dances, there is a new show in town called the Southwest Indian Arts Festival. Now in its sixth year, the festival is going strong with dance performances by genuine Native performers and Native artists from various tribes being showcased. Some have even come as far away as the Pomo Reservation in Northern California.

The Memorial Day weekend was both sunny and profitable for the 25 artists, three live performers and three demonstrating artists at the Smoki Museum.

For the performers, E.J. Satala from the Hopi Tribe entertained a packed house crowd providing music and comedy. The Verde Valley Bird Dancers from the Yavapai-Apache Reservation provided dance and song and featured a three-generation performing family. Finally, two separate performances by John Sneezy, a young hoop dance artist from the San Carlos Apache reservation brought down the house.

There were also daily art demonstrations by Patricia Phililps of Prescott. She is originally from the Pomo Reservation and shared her basket making skills. Loretta McNamee, a second generation Navajo weaver from Keams Canyon, shared her finely honed weaving skills along with Mary and Tsosie Taylor of Zuni, N.M., who showcased their silverwork.

Participating artists included Wendell Sakiestewa, Leroy Begay, Joe Nelson-McCabe, Oliva Whitethorne, Duane Tawahongva, Curtis Yanito, Frank Gene, Sandra Suhu, Priscilla Tacheney and Michell Defrate, Devan and Wilmer Lomayaoma, Weaver and Alberta Selina, Marvin Redeye, James and Doris Coriz, Karen Tootsie-Hopi Quilters, Edwin Whitesinger, Ron Toahani Jackson, Saphiira Scott, Justin Morris, Wallace Ben, Ruben Richards and Rena Charles.

Also featured were former Smoki Museum director Ryan Huna Smith from the Apache Nation and Lisa Chavez Thomas who featured her award winning laser-wood cut art as the event's showcase artist.

Sandra Hamana from Old Oraibi brought her prize winning quilts. Her husband, award-winning singer-songwriter Sidney Poolheco, entertained at the artists special barbecue dinner on Saturday evening with his own original compositions and some popular songs from the 1970s.

During the day, live performances were held inside the historic stone auditorium.

With a small fee of only $5 a person for the entire day, people could enjoy art as well as food stands that featured Indian tacos, fry bread and fresh lemonade by Lisa Tsosie, Navajo.

Young San Carlos Apache hoop dance performer, John Sneezy, sang several songs from his own tribal heritage and also a few selections from the popular NAMMY winning women's singing group ULALI with only a single hand drum accompaniment. He traded off singing acapella with a noise shaker made of a soda can, which he shook as he sang.

In between songs, Sneezy talked of his experiences to perform and also his life on the San Carlos reservation, weaving a vivid image of making "tulipi" (a juice drink) for ceremonies and hearing some of his relatives songs and stories which he now incorporates into his performance.

His final hoop dance brought a standing ovation both days. Many of the Smoki visitors stayed to have their pictures taken with Sneezy or had him sign their art program.

Smoki Museum director Cindy Gresser was congratulated over and over with the weekend's success in terms of both attendance and also with the selection of the performers and the participating artists, providing the public with a well rounded Native art experience.

"I think for our weekend visitors, the live performances were so appreciated, particularly from John Sneezy of San Carlos. He really connected with the crowd and gave them a really good sense of who he is and why he enjoys performing," Gresser commented.

"We had a lot to offer the audience this year - there was a variety of superior artists from tribes all across the southwest and the artists also seemed to enjoy the warm weather of the weekend. The camaraderie of the other artists and our special appreciation dinner held [was much appreciated.] We purposely decreased the number of artists this year, to ensure greater sales in this terrible economy," Gresser added.

The next event is the annual Indian Arts and Navajo Rug Auction scheduled for July 23-24. There will be over 300 historic and contemporary weavings and over 300 art items created by genuine Indian artists offered for sale.

Additionally, there is also a new major exhibit, "The Sign of the Smoki: Art and Artistry of Prescotts' Smoki People" which celebrates of the Museum's 75th anniversary. The exhibit, which opened June 5, showcases costumes and imagery used by the Smoki during their dances.

For more information on current activities and lectures, call (928) 445-1230.

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