Resiliency Through Art & Culture
Resiliency Through Art & Culture
The Ohi:yo’ Art Market Returns May 11th
The Haudenosaunee people are a proud people with a great deal of history to share with their guests. With the return of their juried Ohi:yo’ Art Market to the Seneca Allegany Casino Event Center (777 Allegany Blvd, Salamanca, NY) on May 11th from 10:00am-5:00pm, they will showcase amazing Native American craftsmanship. This is their first year as an official market and they’ve got a lot going on, but not only is this a market, it is also a celebration of their peoples’ strength of resiliency through art and culture.
What does that mean exactly? Curator of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum, Randee Spruce explained, “We are proud to have artists who are carrying on their traditions and culture through their artistic practices. Many of these practices are a form of identity that is an important part of who we are as sovereign people. It is important that these arts are celebrated as some of these practices predate colonization and that should be considered a major part of our resiliency as indigenous peoples.”
They are expecting at least 50 vendors from across Turtle Island to attend. This show is open to Native artists from all walks of life to share their unique styles with everyone. From traditional beading works from Kakwite:ne Jacobs to pottery from Katsitsionni Fox, beautiful and amazing art will be everywhere in the event center space.
The best thing, if something catches your eye while you are taking everything in, all the art being displayed will be up for sale. That means you could take something home that resonates with your own soul. The artists themselves are also competing for the best in show prize, which is a whopping $7,000 dollars.
Randee also advised, “For this event, we have invited Marissa Corwin Manitowabi to set up with her demonstration tent in the center of the market. This tent features different artists throughout the community who hold special knowledge in regards to basketry, plants, and more. There is also a space in the center of these demonstrators for young children to interact in a cultural environment.”
So everyone in the family is included in the fun for the day. And if you get thirsty or you walk up an appetite, the Casino will be providing some simple catering and visitors are more than welcome to pay a visit to one of the excellent dining options the casino can provide. The Thunder Mountain Buffet has great variety, the Seneca Cafe offers sit down service with classic favorites, the Toscana Grill offers cozy Italian fare, and if you’re in a fine dining mood, The Western Door Steakhouse is always a crowd favorite.
Keep in mind that the market isn’t the only event that the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum has in the works. Randee was excited to let us know, “On May 25th we are having our annual Heritage Day celebration which will be bigger than ever this year. We are planning the official opening of our Living Longhouse for the season. We are also having a Haudenosaunee Tattoo gathering with various demonstrators and guest speakers Jamie Jacobs and Michael Galban. This is also a day filled with local vendors and smoke dance competitions for all ages. Also, we have a new exhibit coming to the cultural center with a focus on Cornplanter which will be opening the weekend of August 3rd. This will be a new permanent exhibit for the cultural center and we hope it's one of the biggest ones yet.”
So if you are in the market, (ha, see what I did there?) for a little field trip outside of Ellicottville, then the Ohi:yo’ Art Market is just the place for you to visit at the Seneca Allegany Casino Event Center on May 11th. Visit senecamuseum.org to keep an eye out for new information and more upcoming events.
