Show update: Opening day of Honoring the Weavers in Canvas and Bronze at the historic Toadlena Trading Post
The Wopila Artist Guild would like to thank everyone who attended the June 18, 2011 festivities at the historic Toadlena Trading Post.
Wopila co-founders painter James Ayers and sculptor Craig Bergsgaard enjoyed meeting the hundreds of people who came out to enjoy the day’s events.
Toadlena Museum Show
In 2010, Ayers and Bergsgaard founded Wopila Artist Guild, resolved to give back to Native American communities that fueled artists’ inspiration.
After a trip to the historic Toadlena Trading Post and meeting the post’s proprietors, Mark Winter and Linda Larouche, they developed the idea for Honoring The Weavers in Canvas and Bronze.
Honoring the Weavers contains three works by each artist especially made for this show.
Navajo Finery
Patterns of Tradition
Safekeeping
The Chaperone
The Lesson
Saving the Day
The exhibit is located in the front museum room at the historic Toadlena Trading Post. Throughout the opening day celebration, many residents and visitors viewed the art up close and had the opportunity to speak with Ayers and Bergsgaard firsthand.
After the party had started, Ayers and Bergsgaard were asked to come up to the stage and speak about their pieces. They thanked the crowd for their support and encouragement. For these artists, it was an honor to be welcomed by the many people.
Craig Bergsgaard discusses his works for "Honoring the Weavers” at the historic Toadlena Trading Post.
James Ayers thanks the crowd and shares his painting “Safekeeping”.
Twenty percent of the proceeds from the works will be donated to the Toadlena Young Weaver’s Project, a non-profit fund administered by the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe.
Honoring the Weavers will be exhibited at the museum at the historic Toadlena Trading Post until August 21st, 2011.
Toadlena party: Music sets the tone for a terrific day
Honoring the Weavers in Canvas and Bronze was part of a larger celebration held at the Toadlena Trading Post on June 18th.
Every two years, the trading post hosts a huge community party, in which both residents and out-of-towners are invited. The party celebrates the culture and accomplishments of the local Navajo population. This year, attendance was between 900 and 1000 people.
The Wopila Artist Guild was honored to be included in such an important day for the residents of Toadlena.
Wes Studi, Native American actor featured in the critically acclaimed films Last of the Mohicans and Dances with Wolves, performed at the party with his band, Firecat of Discord. The band includes Wes’s wife Maura and several of their friends.
Their music was lively and entertaining—a great way to start off a party. They played several times throughout the day and each time never failed to entertain.
Wes Studi
Firecat of Discord
The crowd was also entertained by Bluegrass Cadillac, an acoustic bluegrass band from Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The band played classic bluegrass favorites including “Salty Dog.”
A day of love and commitment
The highlight of the day was the wedding of trading post proprietors Mark Winter and Linda Larouche. Mark and Linda exchanged their vows at the event, surrounded by the community the two treasure and call home.
The ceremony was elegant and moving, with a large portion of Mark and Linda’s family in attendance. Services were conducted by Linda’s sister, Roseanne.
Mark Winter and Linda Larouche exchange wedding vows, surrounded by family and friends – June 18, 2011. Master Weaver Evelyn George (left) offers a Navajo blessing to the couple
After the ceremony, the bride and groom danced a traditional Navajo dance to the musical accompaniment of the Dziłnaooiłii Travelers, a troupe of Navajo dance musicians.
The newly married couple dance a Traditional Navajo dance.
The Dziłnaooiłii Travelers
The Dziłnaooiłii Travelers encouraged all to participate in the Navajo dances. Many people enjoyed the dancing, including the members of the Wopila Artist Guild!
Artist James Ayers dances a traditional Navajo dance with Master Weaver Pamela Brown. Pamela was one of the key sources of information on the weaving lifestyle for the Wopila Artist Guild’s research.
Wopila Aritist Guild co-founder Craig Bergsgaard practices his fancy footwork with not one, but two, dancing partners!
Ayers and Bergsgaard became “Toadlena Boyz” and helped with the food and fun
One of the joys of any gathering at the historic Toadlena Trading Post is sharing the day with the Master Weavers, the grandmothers of the community who are keeping the Navajo weaving tradition alive.
Many of these living legends are getting up in years, so once the food is served, a group of volunteers called the “Toadlena Boyz” carry drinks and plates of food directly to the grandmothers so they do not have to stand in line.
Both Craig and James volunteered and were given honorary Toadlena Boyz shirts and hats to wear while toting the drinks and plates of fry bread, blue corn meal, beans, and salsa.
Wopila co-founders James Ayers and Craig Bergsgaard pose in their “Toadlena Boyz” apparel in front of their exhibit in the museum at the historic Toadlena Trading Post.
The Wopila Guild would like to thank everyone who made this day special
The work that went into planning this event was immense, and we would like to give credit where credit is due.
We thank Mark and Linda Winter for including us and our exhibit on their wedding day. Had not been for their efforts, there would not be an Honoring the Weavers exhibit today.
Mark’s son, Justin, and the staff at the trading post showed kind hospitality to the vast numbers of visitors descending upon Toadlena.
The Navajo weavers continue to inspire Wopila’s artists with their craftsmanship and skill. It was such an honor to receive real input on their art, from the people it was meant to represent.
And of course, we would like to thank the benefactors and lovers of fine art. It is only through your support that Wopila can continue to pursue its goal of funding Native American youth art education.
Honoring the Weavers in Canvas and Bronze at the museum at the historic Toadlena Trading Post runs until August 21, 2011. If you would like to purchase one of the works in the show and help fund weaving education for Navajo youth, please see our Available Artwork page.
Related posts:
- Announcing a one-of-a kind art show:
Honoring Weavers with Canvas and Bronze - A visit to historic Toadlena Trading Post:
The weavers give feedback on paintings and sculpture - NOW! See the Complete Wopila Collection to benefit the historic Toadlena Trading Post
- Wopila Artist Guild: Artists supporting art education for Native American youth
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