GRAND CANYON, Ariz. —Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park this weekend are invited to visit the recently renovated Desert View Watchtower where they can interact with Hopi sculptor Evelyn Fredericks. Fredericks represents one of several artisans from Native American tribes presenting in an ongoing cultural series.
As an added appeal, Saturday is National Public Lands Day and that means the public is given free entrance to all national parks.
Artisans throughout the series will share their history and their craft, the park’s announcement said. Fredericks will be presenting at Desert View from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For inspiration, Fredericks draws upon tribal mythology, Hopi culture and the direct experiences of Hopi life in a time less influenced by modern times, according to her website.
“Our home life revolved around women, children and all the work women do,” she said on her site.
Her mediums of stone and clay reveal the underlying commonalities we share as humans, her website said, and they convey in art the beauty and dignity inherent in native culture.
With a beautiful weekend coming and free entrance day, Fredericks said, she is looking forward to a good turnout.
There are 11 tribes traditionally associated with Grand Canyon National Park, according to a 2013 park profile. They include: The Havasupai Tribe, Hopi Tribe, Hualapai Tribe, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Las Vegas Band of Paiute Indians, Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, Yavapai-Apache Nation and the Pueblo of Zuni.
From those tribes, jewelers, silversmiths, weavers, potters, sculptors and more are scheduled every weekend through Oct. 24, and beyond as staffing allows, the park’s announcement said.
The demonstrations are free to park visitors.
The artisan demonstrations are possible with grants from Grand Canyon Association and ArtPlace America, the park’s announcement said, with ArtPlace helping to further arts and culture at the Grand Canyon by transforming Desert View into a place to celebrate, share and learn about intertribal cultural heritage.
Read more: ArtPlace America grant offers new life to Grand Canyon’s Desert View Point
As restoration of the watchtower continues, the park’s announcement said, visitors to Desert View Sept. 25-Oct. 8 may not be able to ascend to the top of the Watchtower, as conservators work to prevent further damage to historic murals painted on the walls. The ArtPlace America grant is also helping with this important step to preserve the paintings and the stories they tell.
Desert View is the eastern entrance into Grand Canyon National Park. It is located on the South Rim approximately 45 minutes east of Grand Canyon Village.
Resources
- Hopi Sculptor Evelyn Fredericks – website
- Cultural demonstrator series – for more information contact Park Ranger Sylvia Tran at telephone 928-638-7968 – Fall 2015 season Cultural demo schedule
- About Desert View – National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park places to go Web page
- About the ArtPlace America – website
- About Grand Canyon Association, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park – website
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