A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Winners of the 2016 NNATC Art Battle. L-R: 2nd place Bruce Boots, 1st place Dukon Harris and 3rd place Andy Swamp. NNATC photo.
This painting by Dukon Harris took first place in the Native North American Traveling College's Art Battle. The theme for the championship round was 'Contemporary Issues.' Photo by Andy Gardner.
Brandon Lazore adds color to his 'Three Sisters' painting. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Bruce Boots puts the finishing touches on his version of the 'Clans' theme. Photo by Andy Gardner.
An aspiring artist paints her idea of 'Legends and Stories.' Photo by Andy Gardner.
Kaylynn Adams gets ready to add paint to her framework sketch of 'Clans.' Photo by Andy Gardner.
Adam Thompson works on a tiny but detailed version of the 'Three Sisters' theme. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Andy Swamp finishes off the colorful background of his 'Three Sisters' piece. Photo by Andy Gardner.
Dave Fadden adds depth to his take on 'Three Sisters.' Photo by Andy Gardner.
More than a dozen artists went brush-to-brush at the Native North American Traveling College's second Art Battle on Feb. 25 at the St. Regis Mohawk School.
The live painting contest pitted the artists against each other for a half hour at a time. They would be assigned a random theme and judged. The top three finishers from each round advanced to a final round.
The final round theme was "Contemporary Issues." Dukon Harris won first place, Bruce Boots second and Andy Swamp third.
In the first preliminary round, the theme was "Three Sisters." Dave Fadden, Victoria Ransom and Swamp won that heat. Other competing artists were Brandon Lazore, Yvette White, Adam Thompson and Kit Thomas.
The second prelim round was themed "Clans." Winners there were Harris, Kerdy Mitchell, Karahkwino Square and Bruce Boots. Other painters were Jada Thompson, Kaylynn Adams and Dan Warrior.
The artists had to step out of their comfort zone to snap out a piece in 30 minutes. Many of them are used to taking their time in coming up with an idea to portray and plot their design.
"The pressure was on," Adam Thompson said. "It just came together ... I just get an idea in my head and let it go."
"It's a challenge for me," Thomas said. "I usually like to plot it out a bit more. It pulls a different side out.
"With the timed match, it really forces you to think about how you're going to present yourself ... and make it a reality."
NNATC Director Sarah Rourke said she was thrilled with the event, which also raised money for her organization through a food sale and silent auction of each piece the artists painted.
"It's a great community turnout, great energy ... we really love having things where we support local artists," she said. "Not everyone gets to see artists in their creative process."
She said they started the event last year after Victoria Ransom watched a similar event in Ottawa.
"We decided to create an Art Battle in its image," Rourke said. "It's amazing, much better than last year.
"We're really proud the Traveling College is able to provide cultural and artistic events for the community on a regular basis."
The NNATC is dedicated to educating people on Native heritage, culture and history. Formed in 1969, they publish books, pamphlets and posters, produce audio-visual material, host Native craft classes and offer groups of traveling presenters. They also host gatherings and festivals in their amphitheatre, says a pamphlet they distributed at the show.
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