Arts Learning - 2017 - Community Engagement
"NATIVE SKYWATCHERS – EARTH SKY CONNECTIONS”
Twenty art-making interdisciplinary workshops were offered throughout Minnesota in schools, community centers, and museums. Participants learned about the native - Ojibwe and D(L)akota connection to the sky-the stars and the Earth. Then they were asked to explore their own connection to earth and sky, whether cultural and/or personal.
The Native Skywatchers (NSW) initiative was founded in 2007 by A. Lee with the overarching goal to revitalize our human connection with earth and sky, starting with our own communities-Ojibwe and D(L)akota. The NSW initiative weaves together art, science, and culture with authenticity and inclusivity.
- McRostie Gallery, Grand Rapids
- Goodhue Historical Society Museum, Red Wing
- Fond du Lac Ojibwe School, Cloquet
- Mille Lacs Indian Museum, Onamia
- Fond du Lac Clinic, Cloquet
- Fond du Lac Clinic, Duluth
- Carlton High School, Carlton
- Fond du Lac Museum, Cloquet
- Carlton Elementary, Carlton
- Elk River High School, Elk River
- St. Cloud School District, St. Cloud
- Bemidji Ojibwe Camp, Bemidji/St. Cloud
- Qi Gong Connection, Carondelet Center, St. Paul
- Perpich Center for the Arts, Minneapolis
"Very well organized on all levels allowing opening to create!"
"Very friendly, helpful, inclusive." "“Great experience!” “Love to do this again!”
(most valuable insight you gained...) "More understanding of the loon's connection to the stars.
Action shot, Native Skywatchers-Arts Learning Workshop ©2017 All Rights Reserved.
Action shot, Native Skywatchers-Arts Learning Workshop ©2017 All Rights Reserved.
"The north star never moves ... if I get lost, I will use it."
"Threatened by "making art", but Annette was helpful."
Annette S. Lee leading a Native Skywatchers-Arts Learning Workshop ©2015 All Rights Reserved.
Carl Gawboy & Annette S. Lee, McRostie Gallery, Grand Rapids, MN, Native Skywatchers-Arts Learning Workshop ©2017 All Rights Reserved.
“I was afraid of art but found it was hard to stop!” “Want more!”
“Love the combination of art as in the technique partnered with local Indigenous ‘story’, as well as the ask to observe.”
"Native Skywatchers - Earth Sky Connections 2017"
An innovative and thoughtful way to engage Indigenous and all communities throughout Northern, Central, and Southern Minnesota in a compelling relationship-based Indgienous approach to learning and creating.
“The purpose of the Arts Learning grant program is to support projects that help lifelong learners acquire knowledge and understanding of and skills in the arts. Arts learning happens when participants are engaged in creating, performing, and/or responding to art in a disciplined and intentional way with a teaching artist.” – Minnesota State Arts Board
FUNDED BY THE MN STATE ARTS BOARD ARTS LEARNING GRANT FY2017
Project Overview
Project Team: Annette S. Lee (PI), William Wilson (elder), Carl Gawboy (elder), Jeffrey Tibbetts, Anne Meyer
Timeline: Sept. 1, 2016 - Nov. 30, 2017
Locations: Traveling. Multiple locations throughout Northern, Central, and Southern Minnesota
Funded by: Minnesota State Arts Board.
Youth Participants in Person: 300
Adult Participants in Person: 400
Electronic Audience: 40000
P: (612)-314-9717 Contact Us
nativeskywatchers@gmail.com Art website visit
annettelee.com
Acknowledgement: Native Skywatchers is located on the traditional and treaty land of the Dakota people, who along with the Ojibwe are the Indigenous peoples of this land, Mni Sota Makoce or Minnesota.