Sitting Bull College

 Article published in Lakota Country Times    visit http://www.lakotacountrytimes.com/

Mission/Antelope Horizons Program Hosts Art Market By Archie B. Beauvais MISSION – Several co-sponsors hosted the area’s first “Multi-Cultural Arts & Crafts Market” at the
Multi-Purpose
Building at SGU’sAntelope
Lake Campus on Saturday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  According to Horizons Program volunteer coordinator, Leo Campbell, the event was widely advertised in certain media outlets, and despite the frigid weather, the turnout of some 200 was an encouraging sign.   The art market attracted approximately 26 exhibitors, including three food vendors who offered cuisine from Asian, Mexican and Western cultures.  The artists were supplied tables and/or set-up spaces at no charge; however, a representative of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Revenue Department was on hand to issue temporary business licenses for a fee of $10.00. Among the exhibitors were Sicangu artists, Mike Marshall and wife, Lynette, whose fine art work is an example of what people have come to expect from the area. 
Marshall earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SGU and spends time creating beautiful parfleche work. His beautiful deer hide boxes with older and more authentic traditional colors appeared to be selling well according to Lynette.  The Marshall family has also traveled to other art markets, including one in
Sioux City, IA, where some of his work is currently being displayed.   According to
Campbell, the overall goal of the Mission/Antelope Horizons Program is to assist the community in recognizing what poverty looks like, and what they can do about it, as well as to develop leadership skills for community development.  The purpose for the arts & crafts market is to create, build, and strengthen marketing opportunities, allowing local artisans to gain exposure for their micro-enterprise and their products.  Some of the project’s community partners contributed to the art market, including the SGU Media Department’s Carole Good Shield, who interviewed and videotaped some of the artists and their work.  This information will be collected into a promotional DVD, the development of which St. Francis Mission and Great Plains Art Institute will assist.  In addition, Rosebud Economic Development Corporation will help with a web-based directory of local artists for their artwork. Horizons is a poverty reduction program funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and sponsored by Sitting Bull College of Fort Yates, North Dakota, in partnership with Sinte Gleska University from the Rosebud Sioux Reservation.  Several other community partnerships have been established in order to meet the goals and outcomes of the project, which include Northern Plains Indian Art Market, Mission Chamber of Commerce, American Indian Relief Council, South Central Resource, Conservation & Development Council, SGU Tribal Business Information Center, Sicangu Fund, and Rosebud Economic Development Corporation just to name a few of the many partnerships that have been created.   Campbell and other local volunteers are planning a number of future projects, including beautification of certain Mission/Antelope areas and a youth mentorship/entrepreneurial training program.  Planning meetings are open to community members, organizations, and everyone, especially youth, is encouraged to attend.  Campbell also noted that SGU provides the Horizons Program with office space at the
Hattie
Marcus
Building in downtown
Mission.  To learn more about the Horizons Program, visit  www.nwaf.org , go to “Programs” and click on “Horizons”.  For further information about Mission/Antelope Horizons Program, contact Leo Campbell at 605-856-8127 or Chuck Bennett at 605-856-4271.