Native American Youth Art—Coming to the Mountain is coming to the Museum of Northern Arizona February 26–April 3, 2005.
NAYA features paintings, sculptures, and drawings from grades kindergarten through 12 from nine reservation schools. More than 100 pieces of artwork will be on display at the Museum. Produced in partnership with Flagstaff Cultural Partners, NAYA is part of Youth Celebrate Art & Culture month, a program offering five weeks of activities highlighting regional creativity.
“This exhibit gives us an opportunity to applaud the artwork of a new Native generation and to inform visitors of the talented and inspiring students and teachers in our region,” says MNA’s Anne Doyle, NAYA curator.
Dedicated to Museum cofounder and youth art supporter, Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, NAYA is also displaying the Treasure Chest Colton created in 1934 to help teachers offer basic art training. The hearty wooden chest still brims with art supplies ready to lure kids to the creative process.
To carry Colton’s vision further, NAYA includes Opening Doors to Youth Art, an area featuring actual doors full of information about local art opportunities for children. Discover how the Grand Canyon Youth Association, Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy, and Coconino Center for the Arts promote youthful creativity.
Meet the student artists and enjoy their artwork along with cultural entertainment and food during a NAYA public reception from 1–4 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 at the Museum.
CULTURAL PUPPET SHOWS FOR KIDS
MNA is pulling strings to get kids interested in art. During Native American Youth Art—Coming to the Mountain, the Museum is offering puppet shows and craft activities for ages 3–6 at 10:00 a.m. Saturdays from February 26–March 26.
Produced by MNA docents, the puppet shows include “Goat in the Rug,” the story of a Navajo weaver and her pet goat (March 5 and 26), “Field Mouse Goes to War,” a traditional Hopi account about a clever mouse who saves his village from a troublesome hawk (Feb. 26 and March 12), and “Dragonfly’s Tale,” a Zuni tale about sharing a bountiful harvest (March 19)
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN NAYA
Leupp Elementary School and Middle School in Flagstaff, AZ
Hopi Mission School in Kykotsmovi, AZ
Hotevilla Bacavi Community School in Hotevilla, AZ
Many Farms High School in Many Farms, AZ
Ganado High School in Ganado, AZ
Kayenta Middle School in Kayenta, AZ
Mary Riley Seven Mile Elementary in White River, AZ
San Carlos Intermediate School in San Carlos, AZ
Zuni High School in Zuni, NM