Location:
John G. Neihardt State Historic Site
306 w. elm st., Bancroft, NE 68004
Event Description:
Free admission. Masks required.
Ed Encinas, Um’oho’ Nation tribal member, ledger artist, craftsman, and traditional Hethuska dancer will give a presentation on ledger art, which evolved from depictions marking brave deeds and other memorable community events, both celebratory and tragic, painted on tepee covers and winter count hides.
From the beginning of the reservation era, government agents and other non-Natives became sources for paper, particularly from old ledger books hence the name, along with pencils, pastel crayons, pens and colored inks. While they were once ignored as important as historical eye witness documents, they rapidly became popular collector items, particularly in the early 20th century when promoted by Dorothy Dunn, an art instructor who began what became the Indian Art Institute of Santa Fe in 1932, and the style was usually associated mainly with the Plains and Southwestern tribes. Since the 1960s the style has expanded to include depictions of contemporary issues.
Encinas will talk about the history of the style in Umon hon history and culture, and its influences on his own life and work, using a variety of examples on display during the program. He will also have a number of items for purchase.