Pottery instructor Candy Lossiah (right) teaches Arthur Locust how to stamp patterns onto his plate at Cherokee Elementary School’s Cultural Summer School held recently. (CCS photos)
The “Night of the Arts” was presented by the Cultural Summer School students and staff on Thursday, June 13 at the Cherokee Elementary School. This night reflected the talents of the children who attended the cultural summer school.
Emery Driver shows off his artwork that he made in Cultural Summer School.
The students took classes in art, dolls, Native American literature, gourds, whiteoak basketry, pottery, foods, plants, beadwork, and soapstone carving. Mini-courses of Cherokee dance, Cherokee language, singing, and Cherokee games were integrated into the regular day.
The Native American Literature class performed “How the Possum Lost Her Tail” integrating the Buffalo Dance within the oral tradition. Cherokee songs were sung by the students.
Micah Swimmer (left in yellow shirt) leads the dance class in the Friendship Dance.
The lead teachers of the classes were Darrin Bark, Reba Elders, Georgia Shirley, Matthew Tooni, Ella Buttery, Pam Bryson, Louise and Ed Goings, Dean Reed, Ann Bradley, Faye Bird, Sebastian Brun, Gail Panther, Andrew Maney, Caroline Thompson, and Jilinda Hill. The administrator of the Cultural School was Judy Castorena under the direction of the Cultural Department. Special recognition goes to the language instructors for their assistance in the Cherokee language courses. Several other staff members were a part in this cultural endeavor.
“We are very grateful to our supporters for this cultural event,” said Cherokee Elementary School officials. “Our sponsors were: Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Harrah’s Tribal Scholarship Committee, the Cherokee Central School System, and the Cherokee Boys Club. Thank you to all the parents and community who attended our “Night of the Arts”. We appreciate your support. Also, a final note: For the students who were not here on Friday, please collect your crafts from the Cultural Office located at the Elementary School. Please see Heather Driver.”
– Cherokee Central Schools
