By Lauren Agee, Olivia O’Neal & Clayton Shull, The Statehouse File
Beadwork, precious stones and feathers glimmered in the sunlight outside the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art this weekend. Draped across tables or sewn into the regalia of performers, the Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival was an expanse of colors and culture.
Visitors—including reporters from TheStatehouseFile.com, who partnered with the Eiteljorg social-media team on Saturday—could enjoy fry-bread tacos, live performances and conversation with Native American artists from across the country.
Navajo artist Jerry Brown painted beneath the shade of a tent. Always one to color outside the lines, he was visiting from New Mexico to share his abstract paintings. Other artists shared beaded vases, carved flutes and handmade dresses.
The sun may have beaten down harshly, but it only added a brighter sparkle to the day.
Indigenous Enterprise dancers pose for photos after their performance at the Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival Saturday. Founded in 2015, according to its website, “The ensemble consists of champion pow wow dancers, musicians, and filmmakers, all committed to authentically representing their cultural heritage. Through workshops and community engagement, Indigenous Enterprise fosters understanding and appreciation for Indigenous traditions, ensuring the next generation recognizes the depth of their cultural legacy.”
