Kari Kennedy
Native American Bead Work

Routes to Art entrant Kari Kennedy will be showcasing her works at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum on Broad Street in Salamanca the week end of May 16-17 2009.

“The traditions and dreams of our ancestors are written in the hearts of our people. We are motivated by our connectedness to our communities. The earth is our life line and the river sustains us.”

Kari’s artwork is born from a culture richly steeped in tradition; she learned her first beading stitch at age 12. That first stitch stirred her very being; soon she was sewing and creating Native American jewelry, headdresses and various beaded objects. Kari became passionate about creating works related to her Seneca Heritage. Over the course of years Kari has created thousands of pieces, she is capable of reproducing vintage looking headdresses and ceremonial regalia just by looking at how they are made. Some incorporating traditional clan symbols of the Onondowahgah (People of the Great Hill) with her own design work. Kari also is advisor for the Seneca Youth Dancers and makes 15 to 20 traditional outfits a year for the group.

Not only did I get a sneak peek at Kari’s intricate and beautiful works I gained knowledge of Native American cultural facts and even learned a few words. For instance, one piece I was really enthralled with was a gustoweh or headdress Kari had made from feathers and beading. Kari explained that Onondowahgah men wear one eagle feather on their gustowehs, like the Cayuga.

However, there is a major difference in the way the feather is worn. The Seneca wear their eagle feather in an upright position, whereas, the Cayuga wear, in their gustoweh, their eagle feather is placed in a downward tilted position.

Kari is the Cultural Specialist for the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum.  Her profession allows her to convey the nature of the Seneca Culture to the public.  Her job enables her to her to organize programs for the community, using her creativity she gives students the opportunity to glimpse into the past by learning how to make several items of beadwork and traditional items (baskets, headdresses, moccasins, etc.)  Many of her works are currently on display at the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca.

The Seneca call themselves Onondowahgah, which means the People of the Great Hill. The name refers to the Seneca’s belief that they emerged into this world from under South Hill, which is located near Canandaigua Lake in what is now New York State.

Routes to Art Kicks Off with Exhibit, Reception, and Native American Dancers

The Cattaraugus County Arts Council kicks off the Routes to Art open studio tour with an exhibit of art beginning this Saturday at the Regina Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University. The exhibition begins with a public reception from 6-8 pm and features the Allegany River Dancers performing traditional Native American dances at 6:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public. The reception will provide an opportunity to meet and preview the unique art of more than 40 regional artists, including Native American artists working in traditional and contemporary mediums. The exhibit will hang until May 11 and is open during regular Quick Center gallery hours.

Routes to Art is the region’s premier arts and cultural tourism event featuring an open studio weekend on May 16-17. Visitors can plan their self-guided driving route to over 40 artist studios throughout the greater Cattaraugus region. This year’s event features a partnership with the Seneca Nation of Indians in celebration of the area’s cultural and artistic diversity. Routes to Art offers the chance to visit eleven artists from the Seneca Nation of Indians and to see work in mediums including bone carving, soapstone sculpture, painting, clay, jewelry, corn husk dolls, beadwork, basketry, and photography. The Cattaraugus County Arts Council has also once again partnered with staff from Cattaraugus County’s Department of Tourism to market the Routes to Art program throughout a three-state, two nation area. A new feature this year is a downloadable points of interest file for travelers who use GPS technology to guide their travels. Detailed information about the artists and the program can be found at the Routes to Art website at www.routestoart.com or by calling the Cattaraugus County Arts Council to request a program brochure by mail, 716-372-7455.

 The Cattaraugus County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the creation, presentation, and appreciation of the arts throughout the greater Cattaraugus region.