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| Volume XXIII Number 10 | July 25, 2003 |
Recapturing Our Identity Through Arts and Crafts
By Michael Kelly
HOLLYWOOD — Event Coordinator Vivian Delgado understands the importance of her culture. She also realizes that it can slowly disappear. On Saturday August 2, she and dozens o
f
other traditional artists held the first "Recapturing Our Identity
through Arts and Crafts" event to make sure that doesn't occur."If we don't teach the younger people, it will be forgotten. It's getting hard to find people to make Seminole art, especially the patchwork," said Vivian.
The event offered the whole tribal community a chance to learn, or just to brush up on their art and craft skills.
Vivian added, "There's almost a generation of people, mostly in their 30's and 40's who missed out on making the artwork."
Vivian added, "I'm fortunate because I was taught how to make Seminole dolls, patchwork, beadwork, and more. I feel it's my obligation to teach people."
Jo North, Vivian Delgado, and Dan Osceola Sr. remembered the need to create Seminole artwork to earn money. "All the arts and crafts we're doing here today we sold to tourists for survival," said Jo.
She added, "I think another reason we're hear today is to demonstrate our culture to the younger generation. I'm glad to see so many children here at the various tables."
Vivian stated, "Even when we had to make crafts to survive, it never really felt like work. I remember making simple things that I knew the tourists would buy quickly. My dad would carve knives, small canoes, and more out of cypress. My grandfather, Charles Billie Boy, also did woodcarving. They were very good artists."
Dan Osceola Sr. remembers selling souvenirs to tourists taking the Jungle Queen Boat tours in Ft. Lauderdale. "We use to sell all types of wood carvings."
Dan has carved wood for many years. "I watched my father and grandfather carve wood so I had great teachers. I usually make spears, knives, tomahawks, and sometimes machetes.
Osceola, who took part at the woodcarving table, demonstrated to me proper woodcarving techniques. "Right now, I'm using Australian pine, but it's hard because it's still too fresh. You really need to use dry wood. Cypress is the best because it's softer. It makes it much easier to carve."
Mark Billie, a skilled woodcarver, wants to see children take a greater interest in the craft. Billie had individuals practice their woodcarving skills on a bar of soap and a popsicle stick for a knife. Billie remarked that he's has his share of scares on his hands, so he wants newcomers to learn how to carve using safer materials.
Both artists Jackie Osceola and Jimmy Osceola headed the fine arts table. Children tried their hand at drawing, cartooning, and other projects.
Artist Jackie Osceola is a very talented artist who specialized in pen and ink drawings. "I've done graphic design and logos, but my favorite medium is pen and ink, followed by pencil," said Jackie.
Both artists had samples of their artwork. Jackie had a particularly beautiful framed drawing. The brilliant colors of Jimmy Osceola's oil paintings jump right off the canvas. If you frequent the main tribal office, you'll probably see one!
What Jackie would like to do is bring all the talented artists on the reservations together. "I would like to set up a cooperative of Seminole artists. We could have all types of artists display their oil, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, sculpture, and other forms of art together," said Jackie.
Here is a list of instructors who shared their talented skills with the tribal community: Bonnie Motlow and Virginia Tiger (Baskets), Ollie Wareham and Leoda Osceola (Beadwork), Maggie Osceola and Minnie Doctor (Dolls), Cornelia Osceola and Annie Jumper (Design Strips-Traditional/Modern), Betty Osceola and Maydell Osceola (Clothing), Jackie Osceola and Jimmy Osceola (Fine Art), Mark Billie and Dan Osceola Sr. (Woodcarving), and Reverend Jack Motlow and Herbert Jim (Story Telling). Paul Buster also spoke, encouraging and thanking all instructors and participants for being instrumental in making the event so special.
Vivian thanked everyone for coming out and supporting the need to teach the Seminole culture. She added, "I want to especially thank Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Moses B. Osceola, Hollywood Representative Max B. Osceola, and Hollywood Board Representative David DeHass for making our first 'Recapturing Our Identity through Arts and Crafts' event so successful."
I asked Vivian if there was one message she hopes tribal members will grasp from today's event. She replied, "Remember your culture. Remember what it means to be Seminole, and what it means to be Native American."
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