Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-12

Via AaAioo RArN
in the Southwest as souvenirs for the
folks back home are not just odoiy
fashioned articles made to sell to east
erners. They represent the earliest art
and handcraft Of the first Americans,
the aboriginal Indians who lived IN
the Southwest in the days OF the pre-
| historic ave dwellings. nobody knows
how many centuries ago.
These arts of blanket weaving pot
terry molding, silver hammering, pas,
kerry and beading have been handed
down from generation to generation.
Each tribe or pueblo has retained to
a certain extent its distinctive type
of handiwork which Immediately lden-
titles the artist with the product. 1t IS
common knowledge that the Navajo is
the premier blanket weaver, that the
) Hopi makes the finest baskets and
that the Pueblo excells in pottery
making. Even among the several
pueblos the styles of pottery are easily
distinguished.
Indian arts are fast dying out in
this country. To effect a revival OF the
native arts and crafts and to encour-
age the Indians to strive for the early
perfection of their forefathers, a great
fair is to be held among the Indians
of New Mexico and Arizona in Sep
TENDER at the time of the 21Oth annual
fiesta of the city of the Holy Faith,
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Southwest Indian Fair and In
dustrial Arts and Crafts exhibition, as
it will be known. is the first of its
kind in that section of the country.
Local fairs have been held on reserva-
tons in the Southwest.
The exhibition, which is primarily
for the Indians themselves. but will be
an added attraction for the fiesta as
well. is being conducted by the School
of American Research and its director,
Edgar l.. Hewett. and by the Santa Fe
chamber of which is in
charge of the annual fiesta and histor-
zeal pageant. Lansing B. Bloom, a
director of the state museum, is to be
superintendent of exhibits.
Indiana Woman Provided Prizes
The fair is the outgrowth of ideas
advanced several years ago by Miss
Rose Dugan of Richmond, Indiana.
who has interested herself in a prac-
teal way in Indian handicraft. She
has rendered an endowment from the
income of which some Of the prizes
for the fair are derived. Other trophies
have been offered by the San a Fe
business men who are Interested in
the development of the Indian arts and
industries.
The objects of the exhibition are
given as "the encouragement Of ma
tive arts and crafts among the Indians:
to revive old arts and to keep the arts
or each tribe and pueblo as distinct
as possible; the establishment and To-
eating of markets for Indian products
the securing Of reasonable prices:
authenticity of all handicraft offered
for sale; and protection of the Indian
in all his business dealings with trad
ers and buyers"
All of the villages and reservations
in the southwest have been notified of
the exhibition and are busting with
preparations to send the best of their
products and their craftsmen to the
big fair. Camping facilities for the
visiting Indians, many of whom will
ride their horses in, will be provided
in Santa Fe. and their valued hsndi-
work be guarded in the state armory
there.
The entries of Pueblo pottery will be
among the largest at the fair. Dugan
fund prizes having been offered for
the best individual exhibit from each
pueblo and a grand prize for the best
Of all. The following pueblos will en-
ter exhibits of pottery: San Juan
Santa Clara, San Ildefonso. Tesuque
Santo Domingo, Cochitit. San Felipe,
Santa Ana, Zia, Jemez, Isleta, Laguna
Acoma, Zuni. and Hopi.
The exhibit room will not resemble
a museum with its articles on display
under glass, nor q country fair with
tables covered with tagged wares. The
Indians themselves will be present in
costume to display their own handi-
work. That is a feature of the competi-
tive regulations. The Navajo blanket
eaver must be present in native work
ing apparel and with his working loom
in order TO enter his exhibits. The
Indian textile workers must wear their
garments made If home-spun wool
and native dyes, and the silversmith
must bring the tools Of his trade and
must dress in native style when he
shows his collection Of rings, bracelets
and belts. The Mescalero Apache bas-
ket maker must wear his customary
habit when he brings in his collection
of baskets. Three pieces of pottery
and a dozen baskets are usually re-
quired for each single exhibit.
Encouraging Indian Artists
The Indian artists who have come
into prominence in the art world of
late will be given an opportunity to
display their pictures at the fair.
Prizes will be offered for the best
drawings in pencil, pen and ink or
water colors Of Indian dances, cere-
monials, games or occupations. Draw
ings of pottery designs will also be
entered. Prizes will be offered for
these in order to interest the school
pupils, particularly the girls, in the
study and use of the decorative art OF
their own pueblos. These designs are
now being widely adapted by the white
people for stencil decorations on gar
ments and household linens.
Indian dancing is considered among
the arts of the exhibit. A trophy will
be awarded to the group of not less
than 20 from any tribe which per-
that congress may give or refuse at