Winter Art Crawl 2024
Winter Art Crawl 2024
Seneca-Iroquois National Museum Offers a Day of Holiday Shopping
Photos / SINM
Tis almost the season and many of us have already begun the hunt for the perfect gifts. (I’m not one of those people… I like to wait until the last minute and see how it plays out.) What do you get the person who has everything? Or the person who is craving something unique? There’s an opportunity coming up in our area to find a gift that’s “just right”. That opportunity awaits at the Onöhasegwë:de’ Cultural Center, 82 West Hetzel Street in Salamanca, NY, on Saturday, November 16th when they host their new Winter Art Crawl.
We say new, but it’s actually a newer version of their annual Winter Art Market. Per museum director Hayden Haynes, they decided the Art Crawl was the best way to not only showcase the museum but bring the local artisans into the spotlight. “We understand that the holiday season is busy for many people,” he said. “This event gives our guests an opportunity to explore the Native heritage while shopping for locally crafted gifts to share with the ones they love.” The market is special because it is a fully Native-vended event featuring Native artisans and crafts people who will be set up indoors throughout the museum offering their works. These works include 2-D art, textiles, native beadwork, paintings, clothing, jewelry and more. This is the perfect place to find something not only unique but also created with culture and historical value - both of which are extremely important.
As Hayden told ellicottvilleNOW, “Traditional and contemporary artisan work is important because it’s an expression of identity, and it’s a continuation of practices that have survived and grown over generations. Each work, created by Native hands, is a testament to the skills learned throughout our heritage.”
And to make sure that the event is accessible for all people to enjoy, the cost of the event is totally FREE! This includes museum admission as well, which will be open to the public. So not only can you come out and shop, but you can also spend some time viewing the exhibits and taking in the history of the people whose works you’ll be taking home.
“I recommend visiting the Living Longhouse which is an outdoor 20’ x 40’ longhouse replica where visitors can enter in and get a glimpse of what our ancestors lived in over 200 years ago,” said Hayden. “We have an amazing museum store with books, clothing, medicines, ornamentation, and many other things for all ages. When visitors visit the gallery there are exhibits on art, history, and we even have live Eastern Hellbenders. Take in the outdoor exhibits, come inside, peruse our vendors, stroll the hallways and make sure to stop into the museum’s own gift shop before you head out.”
That sounds like a day of holiday shopping fun! Also, the museum is open year round and does offer more than just a wonderful place to visit. They host a variety of classes and events outside of their annual art markets. For example, their Gentle Movement of Elders class emphasizes gentle, mindful movements for seniors who have mobility issues. It’s accessible for all skill levels. The youths are not left out; they have a Dancing the Land class for ages 10-18. This is a fun-filled class designed to deepen the connection between body and environment through movement.
You can learn how to create your own native works if you sign up for the museum sponsored Ohy:yo’ Bead Group, held Monday evenings from 5:00-7:00pm at 215 Broad Street in Salamanca. Intrigued? You can contact group leader Penny with questions at 716-378-8371.
On the first Thursday of every month during the fall/winter seasons, the center will be hosting monthly Hodinöhso:ni:h Socials. Refreshments are provided and everyone is invited to come out and sing, dance and socialize in a drug and alcohol free environment. The goal is to bring the community - both young and old - together for a good time.
And you can’t forget about the Harvest Luncheon on November 13th. This is a cultural cooking experience where guests will be able to try amazingly tasty indigenous offerings cooked in the traditional Native way.
As you can see, the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum housed in the Onöhasegwë:de Cultural Center is the best place to visit if you need a special gift for a special someone in your life or if you’d just like to experience a different culture for a day. Come out for the Winter Art Crawl on November 16th for a Native shopping experience like no other! More information on upcoming events and classes can be found at senecamuseum.org, by calling 716-945-1760 or by emailing info@senecamuseum.org.
