Past Projects | The Partnership | Educational Programming

Past Projects

Masks, Winter Counts, Ledger Art and Mud Ponies, K-8, Bonner MT, May 11- 15

"Masks", Using clay and tools, Bonner 7th and 8th grade students create exceptional 3- D masks.

Bonner School excepting our gift of
appreciation

Ledger Art and Mud Ponies, K- 12, Missoula Schools, May 4-8

Paul Ritter, Fine Arts Director(middle), was gifted an original ledger piece done by the artist. He was a wonderful host and guide, as he took the Yellow Bird's to their locations, 10 schools within the week. Kathy Sharbono(left) and Luanne(right) with Title VII Indian Ed. program, coordinated family night for the Native community where Black Pinto Horse presented the ledger art program.

On Friday, during a visit to Missoula's Willard Alternative High school, Yellow Bird found his comfort zone. "I can relate to a lot of you and the struggles and difficulties that you have faced and are facing," Yellow Bird told a gathering of a couple dozen students at a small school which serves students who don't want or can't fit into Missoula's three other public high schools.

"The alternative students are a group that I can relate to and reach a lot better than most students, because I went through a similar situation myself."

"I don't know what I'm proud of", mused freshman Gabby Alexander. "I'm proud of myself for making it". That's a great idea to represent", responded Yellow Bird, "So how do we describe you?"

"I'm always a happy person", Alexander replied. "What color would represent happiness?" Alexander thought for a moment, "Yellow." "Yellow", said Yellow Bird, "And orange, yeah? Now how do you describe yourself? If you were an animal or plant what would you be?"

"A bird", smiled Alexander. "Why?" "Because they are always free and they get to fly around all the time." "And they can go a great distance without touching the ground, right?" noted Yellow Bird. "Yeah."

"So maybe that's what you you can think about," suggested Yellow Bird. "A yellow bird." Alexander busied herself with her ledger. "I've not really thought about things like that before she said, "It's interesting to think about."

*Quotes are taken from the Missourian, May 9

After speaking to the students about his own past and his development as an artist, he worked with them to create their own ledger art, a form of Native American artwork that emerged during the 18th century.

Artist in Residence, Lincoln Schools, Lincoln MT, April 20 - 24

The week began with a community and school- wide presentation given by Black Pinto Horse called, "If you're going to shine, shine brightly." He is telling the story, "The Porcupine and the Buffalo", using the sign for buffalo. He is in the process of authoring and illustrating this traditional Arikara story.

Black Pinto Horse Fine Arts gifted the school with a Sweet Buffalo Medicine reproduction as an appreciation to the new partnership formed. Laurie Maughan, principle, accepted the gift during the community event.

The students worked hard and were engaged as they created meaningful works of art that allowed them to think about the things that are important in their lives, the things they are proud of and future goals.

Four programs were provided to Lincoln students; Mud Ponies(K-2), Winter Counts(3-4), Warrior Shields(5-6) and Ledger Art(high school).

Mud Ponies, 2nd grade @ Sacajawea Elementary, Great Falls MT

"The students all agree that it was fun to make clay horses with you. We wish that you could come to work with us again."-Mrs. Scott

Using clay, Black Pinto Horse demonstrates the assemblage of the "Mud Pony".

With leftover clay, she places a saddle on her Mud Pony.

Making tootsie rolls for the legs, this students follows directions and completes a quality project.

Determination and hard work are at the forefront of this student's priorities.

We have the delight of working with Mrs. Scott, a true promoter and supporter of the arts and teacher of second grade.

Job well done!

Warrior Shields, K- 12 , December 10-12, Troy MT

Jael Prezeau, Curriculum Director of Libby K- 12 School District, Patty Rambo, High school Art Teacher and Linda Marcellay- Saint, alumni of IAIA, stand with Black Pinto Horse after an evening presentation.

This shield was on display during the evening presentation along with hundreds of others from students of Troy and Libby Schools. A few students shared the symbolism and meanings of their shields with the community during the event. A wonderful turnout....snow nor ice was going to stop these proud family members.

Warrior Shields, K- 12 , Libby MT, December 8-9

Ledger Art and Warrior Shields, K-12, December 4-5, Hot Springs MT

"You recently visited our school, Hot Springs Elementary. We really enjoyed your visit and would like you to visit us again."

Candy Franklin, 6th Grade teacher, Hot Springs MT

A fine young artist(left) takes pride and ownership in the shield she has just created, telling the world who she is and who she wants to become.

Ledger Art and Mud Ponies, K- 12 , December 1-3, Plains MT

Christine Cole, the high school art teacher and now also a collector and owner of "His and Hers, But Mine First", a very popular piece.

The Ledger Art project is an evolved version of the winter counts which were historic depictions that held oral translation of the history of the people or tribe. Around the 1860's a new style of art evolved that was a more individual account to the person's accomplishments. Ledger art was done on used ledger paper.

Within the Mud Ponies workshop provided to K- 2, the students shared their dreams and discussed the importance of dreams and their connection to goal setting and self projection. Black Pinto Horse rendered the story, "Mud Pony", a Pawnee legend, as a spring board to discuss leadership and the roles, responsibilities and characteristics of a good leader.

To conclude the project, students worked with clay to create a “Mud Pony” giving their pony a name.

Native Waters Course, Teachers Continuing their Education, November 19, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND

The teachers seemed to be enjoying themselves. As they painted on their warrior shields, one teacher commented, "I never realized how important it is to know my ancestry and its history". We like to say, "In order for you to know where you are going, it's important for you to know where you come from."

It's always a pleasure to work with Melody Staebner, Indian Education Coordinator(bottom left) and Kim Belgarde, instructor of the Native Waters Course. We have formed a wonderful educational partnership working with them throughout the years.

Warrior Shields, Creating My Own Identity, November 10-14, Havre Middle and Alternative Schools, Havre MT

The students were sharing with us the things that "made them tick" along with researching and learning about their heritage. Some came across surprise findings, such as "My great great grandma came across on the boat to Ellis Island."

Then came the painting of their shapes, symbols and colors representing the things they enjoy, their family and their ancestral roots. All of which came together quite nicely, telling the world who they are. Feathers will be the finishing touch, hanging from their warrior shield.

Because some individuals are tactile learners and prefer opportunities where they can actually do something physically with the information they learn, this entire project was right up their lane.

Black Pinto Horse and Emily Yellow Bird standing with the coordinators of the programming; Sandy Wilson, Indian Education Coordinator, Andy Carlson, Curriculum/Assessment Specialist and April, the art teacher.

Black Pinto Horse created this shield and gave it to the middle school as a gift in appreciation for the wonderful hospitality of the staff and students. Their mascot is the Blue Mustang.