Arts, Action and Community in Utqiagvik
Aloha!
The three main objectives of my Arts In Action Fellowship with Native Movement are to: 1) Learn a new skill, 2) Host a Community Art Build, and 3) Create an Art Piece. Since my last Blog Post, I held my Community Art Build and learned about screenprinting!
COMMUNITY ART BUILD
For my Art Build, I hosted an Art Night in my home community of Utqiagvik with the help of my sister Kawahine, Climate Justice Organizer; this event took place on Friday, October 29.
The goal of this Art Build was to provide a safe space for community members to express themselves through Art and to engage on topics/concerns regarding our northern communities.
Unexpectedly, the majority of the group were young Native men. People of all ages participated which allowed for great conversation, engagement and an opportunity to connect from different life experiences and perspectives.
I led the discussion by asking each participant what they envision for our communities and Kawahine asked what happiness meant to them which translated beautifully onto the canvases that they all got to bring home.
SCREENPRINTING
After several failed attempts, I eventually created my first successful screen print! My supervisor Jessi, Arts In Action Coordinator, walked me through the basics of Screenprinting which I've come to really appreciate as an artform. I learned very quickly that this process requires patience and careful attention. I created a (not-so-simple) design to try my hand at screenprinting.
My print portrays Arctic Alaskan tundra flowers: fireweed, cottonflower, wildflower and aqpik. Eventually, I got the hang of it and I felt so proud of myself and my cute little cloth print!
The past several weeks have been full of new experiences, reflection, and personal growth. I continue to learn more not only when it comes to arts organizing, but also learning more about myself as an artist. More to come, quyanaqpak!
- Kawai
The Arts in Action Fellowship with Native Movement is a 3-month part-time position which provides hands-on experience working with our team. The goal of this Fellowship is to give space to be creative in a collaborative environment, build capacity in our communities for Arts in Action, and support BIPOC, and queer artists/creatives who are interested in expanding their skills around Arts organizing.