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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 13, 2009
CONTACT: Ronette Rumpca, (605) 773-6011, ronette.rumpca@state.sd.us
Ledger drawing, Lakota culture program coming to Cultural Heritage Center
PIERRE, S.D. -- Lakota artist Warren “Guss” Yellow Hair will present a free public program on ledger drawing and Lakota culture at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Yellow Hair is a self-taught traditional artist from Allen, S.D., and has lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation for the past 40 years. He has been creating Lakota art work since he was a young man and says he “enjoys creating a piece of art that people can treasure for years.” He is currently working on a series of ledger drawings on the life of Crazy Horse.
Ledger drawings are a traditional artform for the Plains Indians. Prior to the mid-19th century, the Plains Indians would draw on buffalo hides. After the decimation of the buffalo herds, people started drawing and painting in ledger books.
Yellow Hair’s artwork includes painted tipis and sweat lodge covers done with traditional old style pictographs. He does beadwork, hide tanning and drum making, and handcrafts small items such as dream catchers, mini-shields and beaded baby moccasins. He will have ledger book art, beadwork, small drums and other items for sale at the Oct. 15 program.
Yellow Hair has a degree in Lakota Studies from Oglala Lakota College. His art has been in several shows and exhibitions, including Gold Rush Days in Sidney, Neb., and the Coeur d'Alene Art Show in Idaho.
“We are delighted that Guss will do a program on his art and Lakota culture at the Cultural Heritage Center while he is in town doing programs for the schools as part of Native American Awareness Week,” said Helen B Louise, director of the museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society. “Parents and others, who can’t make it to the school programs, can enjoy his evening presentation here.”
The museum in the Cultural Heritage Center is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. on Sundays and most holidays. For more information, visit www.sdhistory.org
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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism and State Development and strives to help the state meet the goals of the 2010 Initiative by enhancing history as a tool for economic development and cultural tourism. The society is headquartered at the South DakotaCulturalHeritageCenter in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.sdhistory.org for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.