Native American dancers, lecture set at OJAC

By Melinda L. Lucas

After a return performance by the “Fancy Dancers” at the Old Jail Art Center on Saturday afternoon, a well-known Native American artist will discuss works in the OJAC’s current exhibition, “Cheyenne Ledger Drawings: Stories of Warrior Artists.”

The Focus Lecture by Gordon Yellowman is planned for 3:00 p.m. in the Stasney Center, with the dance exhibition in the Marshall R. Young Courtyard earlier at 2:00 p.m.

Fancy Dancers

A group of Native American dancers, many of whom have been to the Old Jail for performances in the past, will present “Fancy Dances” for local residents and Fandangle visitors.

The outdoor event typically draws a large crowd to the museum’s courtyard space.

“Fancy Dancers” are outfitted in great amounts of loom beaded set of suspenders, belt cuffs, armbands, and  feathered bustles and headbands in bright colors.

As dancers enter the performance area, every step, every turn, every movement is timed perfectly to the beat of a single drum.

Focus Lecture

Gordon Yellowman, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, will discuss ledger drawings, providing valuable insight into the Old Jail exhibits, as well as his personal art.

Cheyenne Ledger Drawings: Stories of Warrior Artists features 52 deeply personal works by three Cheyenne artists who were were among 72 prisoners of war taken by the U.S. government to Ft. Marion in Florida in 1875 following the Red River War.