Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

06/08/2020

Katherine Poleviyaoma was born into a family of craftswomen in New Mexico’s Acoma Pueblo where she learned traditional pottery forms and painting techniques. She continues making pieces using clay harvested at the Acoma Pueblo.

In her pieces a white background symbolizes the earth, orange represents the sun, and strong black lines and shapes represent mountains, lightning, clouds, and rain. She is currently teaching her daughters this ancient art form.

Image: Katherine Poleviyaoma, Rain Drop Blessed by Sun Rays, State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, 2018

06/06/2020

Have you ever wanted to learn how to weave on a loom?

Check out the lesson plans section of our digital exhibition: "Traditional Textiles: Ties that Bind" for step-by-step instructions on how to make your own loom from items you probably have at home. Then share your creations with us! Link in bio.

06/05/2020

Joint Statement Following the Death of George Floyd | Utah Department of Heritage & Arts

All Divisions and programs of the Utah Department of Heritage & Arts stand with the Multicultural Commission, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission on Human Rights, and Governor Gary R. Herbert in mourning the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.

The Commissions and Governor Herbert have issued the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the brutal and inhumane murder of Mr. George Floyd and the many lives taken before him. Their deaths have prompted the community to pause and reflect how racism and injustice affects everyone individually and collectively in our daily lives, but also to consider how it is uniquely felt by communities of color.

We grieve alongside their families, friends, community and the nation. Together, we must play a role in demonstrating compassion, dignity, and respect, as neighbors, co-workers, and parents to foster a more welcoming, inclusive, accessible and equitable community and world to live in.

We are here to make the necessary call for us all to work together, to help one another, to listen intentionally to those who feel unheard, to be braver and better, to create the solution for such a time as this, and commit to eradicate racism from our thoughts, words, deeds and actions. We cannot regulate the hearts of others, but we can surely hold them accountable and continually work to change our own for greater empathy and indignation when we witness harm against another.

Those of us, and all who oppose violence and oppression against any group of people, must be the most committed and vocal advocates for justice.

We know that America’s “sin” of racism is still too prevalent. People from marginalized communities who suffer everyday indignities and who now march to protest the deeply rooted historical and systemic oppression are looking to each of us to say in words and actions, “no more.”

The time to usher in change and healing is now. The time to learn from our history that tells a tale of a divided nation can guide us to do better and to fiercely work to achieve equity and inclusion in our policies and practices.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission, the Multicultural Commission, and the Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs stand in solidarity with Utah leadership, stakeholders, community members and trusted leaders to declare that what happened to Mr. George Floyd is now the catalyst to transform the fabric of America into a tapestry of equity and racial justice for all.

We look forward to advancing efforts for change and creating a Utah where families of all races and backgrounds feel safe, heard, and valued.”
https://heritageandarts.utah.gov/3264-2/

Joint Statement Following the Death of George Floyd The Department of Heritage & Arts stands with the Multicultural Commission, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission on Human Rights, and Governor Gary R. Herbert in mourning the death of George Floyd. Members of the two commissions and the govern...

06/03/2020

Hey Utah! Here is an opportunity to share your experience during this global pandemic. Check it out!

The Covid-19 Memory Project is designed for K-12 students to share their experiences during this unique time in our history. Student responses will become part of a permanent historical collection retained by Utah Division of State History that will help future generations learn about what life was like during the Covid-19 pandemic in Utah. Students can download and complete the form (available in English and Spanish) along with the release agreement with their parent or guardian and email to [email protected].

https://history.utah.gov/covid-19-memory-project/

Link also in bio. @ Utah State History

06/03/2020

BLACK LIVES MATTER

The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs stands against racism of all forms and encourages Utah to actively dispel discrimination and hate. Systemic and institutional racism still exists and we honor the local multicultural leaders that are working towards racial justice and healing.

What can you do during this time of unrest for many of our communities of color, especially our Black Community? Here are a few suggestions and a list of Black-led organizations whom we stand in solidarity with. We recognize there are additional organizations that we may have missed. Please message us directly so we can elevate the work you do.

Perhaps most important is simply engaging in conversations regarding race issues, even when it can be uncomfortable. Ease into discomfort, for that is where growth lies.

#BlackLivesMatter #LeadWithInclusion #NoRoomforHate

06/01/2020

As a boy living on the Utah part of the Navajo Reservation, Homer Warren made his own toys from the plentiful supply of local sandstone. After attending schools in several states and serving in Vietnam, he returned to Utah and married. Before long he was teaching his own children to make toys, just as he had, using the stone found near the banks of the San Juan River. Many of their images depict Navajo livestock-raising culture. On some pieces they take advantage of the natural coloring of the stone while others are painted with bright colors and accented with small accessories.
Image: Homer Warren, Navajo Sandstone Man and Woman, State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, 1991 @ Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

05/29/2020

Traditional Textiles: Ties That Bind · Traditional Textiles: Ties That Bind · Utah Folk Arts

Individual identity is often woven from different stories- some that we inherit and some that we create. These narratives help us understand who we are, what we value, and where we belong.

Our digital exhibition, "Traditional Textiles: Ties that Bind," presents examples of contemporary Utah creators who use traditional fiber arts as the medium to explore and express their culture, history, and identity. These textiles may include words, but more often, they rely on colors, symbols, and techniques to tell personal and cultural stories, sometimes by several authors.

How does your community "tell" its story?

https://utahfolkarts.omeka.net/exhibits/show/traditionaltextiles/introduction

Traditional Textiles: Ties That Bind When fibers are woven, stitched, or twisted together, they create texts that tell stories connecting us to our cultural identities and each other. Reading Textiles → Introduction Traditional Textiles: Ties That Bind IntroductionReading TextilesNative American R...

05/28/2020

center for food and culture

During this COVID pandemic, it seems like everyone is talking about food - trying new recipes, eating too much, bartering with neighbors for yeast and flour, or starting a backyard garden!

The Center for Food and Culture will soon be launching a virtual oral history on how people are using foodways (customs and traditions relating to food and its preparation) to find comfort or discovering discomfort during the pandemic. The project will result in an archive of interviews, an on-going and interactive online exhibit, and a virtual symposium. When the website is live, volunteers will be able to give formal interviews or respond to prompts at www.foodandculture.org or on their page.

How have your foodways changed during COVID?

#foodways #traditionalfood #foodpractices #copingwithcovid #foodtraditions #foodcustoms #covidfoodways #victorygarden #bartering #foodlore

Our mission is to promote a deeper understanding of the many ways in which food connects us all and to use that understanding to nourish our connections to and through food in order to create a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable world. We do this by offering: Educational programs and materia...

05/26/2020

Living Traditions Festival performers, check out this opportunity at Sugar Space Arts Warehouse!

PRIVATE PRACTICE SPACE AVAILABLE

Do you want a larger space to practice your dancing outside of your living room as you follow along with a ZOOM teacher? Are you taking a summer series online via ZOOM for yoga, pilates, or another purpose? Do you want a private space to work out, meditate?

We are offering space for this!

Although we are currently not hosting large events and most of our teachers have suspended their classes for the time being due to COVID -19, we do have space available to rent for private use for your online ZOOM classes, etc.

Both of our buildings have garage doors that can be opened for good airflow and both have sound systems, and dance/exercise flooring.

Although we are not healthcare professionals, we will do our utmost to keep us all safe including cleaning and sanitizing, according to CDC recommendations, before and after each private rental.

Reach out to us at [email protected] to rent the space for your private use!

05/20/2020

Every Wednesday we will be bringing you a look at how Utah's traditional artists and cultural communities are #copingwithcovid

Utah Dance Alliance has partnered with some of our state's finest traditional East Indian dancers for a FREE weekly series of classes hosted via Zoom. Check out the schedule below and join the fun!

05/18/2020

Have you ever tried making origami? What is your favorite kind?

Judy Iwamoto, a native of Salt Lake City, has always been fascinated by origami artists who could take a flat piece of paper and fold it into a three-dimensional item. She bought a book about origami, began teaching herself the craft, and then worked with master artist Ine Takenaka. Today Judy is one of Utah’s most accomplished origami artists and teachers. This three-tier origami sonobe (or modular origami) is made when sonobe modules are interlocked to create a larger piece.

Images: Judith Iwamoto, Origami sonobe, State of Utah Alice Merril Horne Art Collection, 2009 @ Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

05/16/2020

We ❤ Living Traditions! We will continue connecting and collaborating with our community of artists until we can come together again for celebration. Stay safe out there!

On what would have been the kickoff day to the 35th Anniversary of the Living Traditions Festival, we at the SLC Arts Council are hopeful that we will overcome and bounce back from the adversity we are facing now to celebrate the love and diversity within our city soon. We love you, we miss you, stay safe SLC! @ Salt Lake City Public Library

05/14/2020

Have you ever seen a woven basket or a pair of cowboy boots and thought, "WOW!"?

Crafting beautiful and functional objects by hand requires great skill and precision. There are many Utah craftspeople who produce pieces that communicate the values of their chosen industry. Occupational folk art includes many of these pieces that are made using traditional knowledge and materials that relate to one's chosen line of work. Whether it is a basket used to "get the job done" or a decorative saddle that you wouldn't dare ride, occupational folk arts are a rich, creative outlet that affirms the craftsperson's membership in a community of workers. Check out our digital exhibition "Work, Refined: Occupational Folklore" to see more examples of occupational folk art and how they express the maker's values and aesthetics.

https://utahfolkarts.omeka.net/exhibits/show/workrefinedoccupationalfolkart/offtoworkintroduction

05/14/2020

Even more impressive in person, these fully-beaded baby moccasins are only 2.5 inches wide and 5 inches long!

Linda Harrelson grew up in the Tooele-Grantsville area with her grandmother, Vida Bear, a legendary Shoshone craftswoman. Surrounded by craftwork, Linda began beading before she was old enough to go to school. Years later she became interested in quillwork, the form of buckskin decoration used before beads were available. Today both her quill and beadwork are recognized for their high quality and she regularly creates custom pieces for museums, collectors and native dancers.

Image: Linda Harrelson, Fully-beaded Shoshone Baby Moccasins, 1993, Alice Merrill Horne State of Utah Art Collection @ Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

05/07/2020

Digital Artist Presentations Survey

Calling all artists! Make sure and fill out our Digital Artist Presentations Survey if you are interested in hosting or creating online presentations on arts and culture on behalf of Utah Arts & Museums.

Utah Division of Arts & Museums (UA&M) is committed to supporting working artists and creators during this challenging time. We are exploring options for partnering with artists and creators to host virtual sessions for audiences of arts enthusiasts, teachers, and other creators via Zoom. Artists se...

05/06/2020

Did you know that yard art assemblages are folk art? Check out this awesome collaboration!

If you live in Sanpete County, display your artworks in your yards, balconies, and windows as a way of making art accessible and visible while maintaining social distancing practices.

You can also join the movement by posting pictures of your yard with #lawngnomes2020 #granaryarts #umoca

05/03/2020

Happy Bird Day (May 4th)

In the pottery-making region of Ukraine where Valentina Vaynshteyn was born, leftover clay was customarily used to make birds, dolls, animals and other small toys for children. When her oldest son became interested in these traditional toys Valentina learned the basics from her neighbors and used her own skills as an academically trained painter to decorate them. The entire Vaynshetyn family began making all kinds of Ukrainian traditional toys including the bird ocarinas you see above.

An ocarina is an ancient wind instrument similar to a whistle or flute that is believed to date back 12,000 years. They were important in many cultures for their use in song, dance and children's play. In contemporary times, ocarinas can be found in Gyorgy Ligeti's Violin Concerto and Nintendo 64's The Legend of Zelda.

Images: Valentina Vayshetyn, Russian Bird Ocarinas, 1991, State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collections @ Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

05/01/2020

Digital Artist Presentations Survey

Utah Division of Arts & Museums is committed to supporting working artists and creators during this challenging time. We are exploring options for partnering with artists and creators to host virtual sessions for audiences of arts enthusiasts, teachers, and other creators via Zoom. Artists selected for participation in this program will be compensated. Please help us determine how we can structure this program to be the most effective (and fun!) by sharing your feedback in this survey.

Utah Division of Arts & Museums (UA&M) is committed to supporting working artists and creators during this challenging time. We are exploring options for partnering with artists and creators to host virtual sessions for audiences of arts enthusiasts, teachers, and other creators via Zoom. Artists se...

04/29/2020

The most common beehive design seen in Utah arts is known as a skep. A skep is traditionally a hive made of woven straw similar to a basket turned open-end-down. Skeps have been used for thousands of years in many different parts of the world. Despite their frequent and iconic appearance, did you know that beekeeping with skeps is illegal in the state of Utah?

To learn more about the history and process to create a skep hive, visit our FREE digital exhibition, "The Grand Beehive: Utah’s Iconic Symbol" Link below:

https://utahfolkarts.omeka.net/exhibits/show/thegrandbeehive/buzzonbeehives/skephives

04/29/2020

Did you know that earlier this week was National Tell A Story Day?

Today, most people use social media as a way to share events and details about their lives. Before social media or the internet, people told stories is lots of different ways. On National Tell A Story Day we honor the way Hmong people use textiles to tell their stories for centuries. The storycloth you see above was created by Sister of Ge Lo is called "Hmong 100 Year History." Sister of Ge Lo used a mixture of images and words to explain how the Hmong people were forced to migrate through Southeast Asia. Today Hmong people live in diasora communities all over the world. Do you have a special way of telling your story? Tell us about it!