Cape Coral Florida Native American Art Gathering

As collectors and dealers in Native American material culture (ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink and Native-PotteryLink ), if Sue and I know of a Native American Indian exhibit within 50 miles of me, I will attend. This was the first time for an event in Cape Coral, Florida, last weekend. As a first time event, it was modestly impressive and successful.

The crowd grew over the course of the day - this was day one of a two-day booking. By the time I left , a couple hundred people had come by.

There were perhaps 20 booths by Native American artists. One of them hosted Rex A. Begaye, a Navajo (Dine) native. Begaye was one of, if not the primary, organizer of this show.

The roped off dance area, where Grand Entry of the artists took place accompanied by the songs and drum of a Native American group, was MC'd by Ric Bird.

The Grand Entry was followed by Native American fancy dancers.













One of the highlights was an encampment of a family of Cree Indians from Saskatchewan, Canada.


The woman explained the dances by her children while the father drummed and sang dance songs. The setting included a traditional lodge or tipi. The mother explained that the tipi is assembled by the woman at each new encampment and is her property, as is all of the tipi's contents.

Trapped furs and bead work, some of it quite intricate, were on display, The woman was very proud of her work, her family (8 children) and her heritage. Her explanations of life as a Plains Indian were enlightening. It's a beautiful thing and a shame more youngsters were not there to learn about this interesting subject.

This show now has closed. But the organizers say they will be back next year. They also have a show planned for Sarasota, FL after the first of the year. It's worth a little research to find it and place a hold on the day.

More Native American Arts & Culture

Here are more events scheduled for the coming months.

Through August 25, 2007 – “Native American Women’s Creations” in exhibition at the Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens, 9401 Oak Glen Road, Cherry Valley, CA.

Through September 16, 2007 – “Voices in the Tall Grass: Native Women Artists of Oklahoma”. This exhibit is being presented at the Pioneer Woman Museum, Ponca City OK. The art work, in an exhibition curated by Rebecca Brave, includes contemporary and traditional media such as pottery, beadwork, basketry, ribbon work, sculpture, paintings and illustration.

July 11-12, 2007 - Mashantucket Pequot Museum Pow Wow and Festival. Admission to the Pow Wow is free with admission to the museum and for museum members. The museum is located at 110 pequot Lane, Mashantucket. For more information, call 800-411-9671

July 14-15, 2007 – 14^th Howard County Pow Wow at the Howard County Fairgrounds, Baltimore, MD

July 20-22, 2007 – Redbird’s Children of Many Colors Native American Intertribal Pow Wow, Moorpark, College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, CA. Admission is $2.00

August 4-5, 2007 - Bull Run All Nations Pow Wow, Riverfront Park & Candfield Island, Loyalsock Township, PA at the intersection of Bull Run Trail and Seshequin Trail.

August 24-26, 2007 - 33^rd Annual Pow Wow by the Baltimore American Indian Center at Patterson Park, Eastern and Linwood Avenues. Admission $5.00 Information: 410-675-3535.

This list is brought to you by William & Susanne Waites of Aboriginals: Art of the First Person and allied web sites, Native-JewelryLink.com, Native-PotteryLink.com, TribalWorks.com and ZuniLInk.com