John Redeye

John Redeye

Nation/Clan: Seneca/Hawk
Media: Antler Carving, Rattles, Drawing, Painting

Artist Resume:

I learned most of my artwork abilities from the old timers in my neighborhood – (when we were moved from our land in Red House, to make way for the Kinzua Dam.) Most of the artists were veterans of war and they gathered together on Veteran’s day at Wilbur Watts. I was amazed by their war stories and they were very talented at carving and other artwork and most were musicians. I paid a lot of attention to learn how to carve. Then in the 1970’s they had carving classes, taught by Avery Jimerson and Steve Gordon. Most influential carvers I’ve known were; Wilbur Watts, Aaron Jacobs, Avery Jimerson Sr., Steve Gordon.

I was born on the Allegany Territory to Kay & Earl Redeye.

I went to Bryant & Straton for commercial art for 1 1/2 years; served in the Marine Corps for 3 years with a honorable discharge as a Corporal (E-4). When done serving my country I really got into my artwork.
Rattles, carving and other media. I will never give up the gift the creator has given me. My biggest accomplishment is showing my artwork in the casinos.

   

Peter B. Jones

Peter B. Jones

Nation/Clan: Onondaga Nation/Beaver Clan
Media: Stoneware Pottery and Sculpture

Artist Resume:

Peter B. Jones is a renowned potter and sculptor who resides on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation of Indians. He studied under Hopi artist Otellie Loloma while attending the Institute of American Indian Art in New Mexico. His pottery, which is derived from traditional Iroquois pit firing, hand-built coiling and slab construction, is admired and collected by community members, Native American art collectors, and museums across the country and internationally. Reminiscent of early Iroquois pottery, Jones’ art directly reflects the issues that have impacted the Haudenosaunee. His works are in traditional style, pit fired Iroquois pottery.

Jones operates a pottery workshop and studio on the Cattaraugus Territory, which is open by chance or appointment. Studio address: 234 Buffalo Street, Gowanda, NY 14070. Jones is also available to conduct pottery workshops and classes for schools, community groups and other organizations.

To purchase or commission artwork or to inquire about a pottery workshop please contact Peter at (716) 491-5993 or pbjones.art@gmail.com

     

Richard F. Big Kettle

Richard Franklin Big Kettle

Nation/Clan: Seneca/Heron
Media: Multi-art.

Artist Resume:

In 1975 I won first, second and third place and trophy when I was in school Fort Sill IND. School. Then I have been winning numerous awards since that time a few “Best In Show” and numerous awards – SNI Fall Festival.

 

Artist Statement:

To carry on the culture of my people. I make my Art out of natural materials. It is important to me to keep the Art of my people alive.

        

 

 

Adrian John

Adrian John

Nation/Clan: Seneca/Allegany Territory/Hawk
Media: Native art sculpture & mixed media, carving, sculpture, mixed media contemporary & traditional Native arts

Artist Resume:

I was born and raised on the Allegany Indian Territory where I still reside raising my 3 boys in much the same way I was raised. I have a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies with minors in Native American Studies and Studio Art from Oswego State College. I am also finishing up my requirements for a Masters in Initial Teacher Certification from Buffalo State College.
I currently work at the Seneca Nation Education Department as the Culture and Language Liason. Prior to this I was working at the Tribal Historic Preservation Office as a project coordinator and the Faithkeepers School as a Language Intern, where I also ran some student programming including a summer program. I have worked in the field of education since graduating college and I believe that is my calling in this life to learn myself and teach or instruct others on Seneca history, culture, language and arts.

In college I took classes in sculpting, jewelry making, print making and drawing which I believe helped me refine my techniques. I have been mainly self taught in our traditional arts and crafts forms, though I must admit to having learned a lot by watching local artisans.

I receive inspiration from seeing others work. When I attend museums, dance shows, pow wows or craft shows, seeing others work gives me motivation to go and make my own art. Also seeing our traditional historical pieces of work that have been left by our Seneca ancestors on pottery, wooden ladles, beaded or quilled bags and moccasins, truely inspiration me.

I am available to do presentation on art forms, history, culture and the life ways of the Seneca People. At this time, my artwork focuses on carving stone and wood. But I also do leather work, bead work, graphic art, painting and drawing.

To purchase art work or to inquire about a cultural presentation or art workshop, please contact Adrian at (716) 474-7218 or gajidas@hotmail.com

Artist Statement:

I am self taught in a variety of different art forms including contemporary and traditional Native arts. Deeply inspired by my Seneca culture, much of my work portrays Native American themes. Currently, I am focusing on carving and sculpting.

 

Michael Jimerson

Michael Jimerson

Nation/Clan: Seneca/Turtle
Media: Drum drumsticks, snowshoe earrings, loom beading and beading

Artist Resume:

Graduated from Haskell with a degree in Welding. Took drafting at Denver University. My woodworking comes from watching and trying. When challenged to make the snowshoes smaller I did it and am very pleased with the results. My creations are inspired by my wife’s culture: Athabascan and I also make Seneca  art: Water drum and am researching snow snake and lacrosse ( earrings).

Artist Statement:

My art evolved over the years, I still draft and draw but mostly woodworking keeps me busy. I am retired from Municipality of Anchorage/ Port of Anchorage. We love to travel and see new things. However, my inspiration comes from nature in the Tetlin Junction area. My late parents: Lester and Hazel Jimerson were self taught artists from whom we were inspired to create beautiful art. All of my siblings are very artistic in one media or another. Art is a beautiful form of expression and should be shared.

Tom Huff

Tom Huff

Nation/Clan: Seneca-Cayuga/Deer Clan
Media: Mixed Media, found objects sculpture

Artist Resume:

Tom Huff is a stone sculptor working in a variety of stones, styles, and themes, traditional and contemporary, and also creates mixed media/found object sculpture. In much of his work, Huff addresses the current situation of Native Americans mixing cultural, stereotypical, political, and autobiographical elements. He began carving stone, wood and antler at home, inspired by the artists at the Cattaraugus Seneca Nation, and later attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (AFA1979) in Santa Fe, NM, and the Rhode Island School of Design (BFA1984).
Currently, he is an adjunct professor at the Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY, teaching an annual summer stone carving/Iroquois Art course with other native artists.
Tom curates the following shows: The Nuclear Indian Series, a solo installation; Tonto Revisited: Indian Stereotypes, an exhibit of found objects and images; and group exhibitions of contemporary Iroquois artists from the Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy.

Tom is also a writer whose prose and poetry have been published, and is the editor of Stonedust, an Iroquois art newsletter. He also maintains a website, www.stonedust.com, an online gallery of Iroquois artists and art news.

A former Trustee of the Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave, NY, he has served on various boards and committees of the Everson Museum, Syracuse Stone Quarry Hill Art Park, Cazenovia, and Atlatl, a national Native arts organization in Phoenix, Arizona, Tom presently lives on the Onondaga Nation near Syracuse, NY, with his wife, sculptor Trudi Shenandoah, his son Charlie, and daughter, Kali, where he maintains a carving studio.

   

Robert J. D’Alimonte

Robert J. D’Alimonte

Nation/Clan: Tuscarora/Beaver
Media: Wood

Artist Resume:

Born in Buffalo, NY, in 1971 Robert J. D’Alimonte (Tuscarora, Beaver Clan), grew up in a family of artists. His grandfather, renowned artist Stan Hill, began a career in bone and antler carving after the death of his son in 1970. Over the next 30 years, Stan created one-of-a-kind pieces of art that can now be found in museums and private collections throughout the United States and Canada. Stan’s work inspired the entire family to become active in Haudenosaunee art. Stan’s sons Russell Hill and Stan Hill, Jr., are both accomplished bone carvers. Rick Hill is a painter, author, and educator, and Janet (Robert’s mother) creates various craft items, including dream catchers and feather earrings.

“My work provides a way to connect to my culture and express who I am as a Native person. I enjoy creating pieces that tie together our rich Haudenosaunee heritage with more contemporary designs. My hope is to create pieces to which people feel connected.”

Robert is a completely self-taught artist. It wasn’t until he was in his thirties, shortly after the death of his grandfather, that he began to seriously learn the craft of woodworking. Using a scroll saw as his primary tool, he creates intricate fretwork, silhouettes,  and intarsia. His work ranges from his smaller, delicate wooden ornaments, to table toppers, portraits, and larger wall murals.

In June 2013, after a 20-year career working as a Software Architect for Western New York Health Insurance Companies, Robert resigned from his position to focus 100% of his time on his fledgling woodworking business.

“Designing software is a highly technical yet creative endeavor. I enjoyed it for many years and was fairly adept at it. However, after 20 years, the work lost its luster for me. I needed to do something that expressed who I am as a Native person. Something that helped keep our culture alive. And something that honored my grandfather’s legacy.”

Robert’s work can be found in a number of museum craft stores, including the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca, NY, the Iroquois Museum in Howe’s Cave, NY, and the Fenimore Cooper Museum in Cooperstown, NY. He travels the local craft show and pow wow circuit and is currently working on a project to create a permanent studio, craft store, and education center in Niagara County.

“I believe our future success as a people lies in part in our ability to continue to express ourselves through art. We must continuously raise the bar and educate ourselves in order to compete and succeed as artists. In the end, though, hard work and determination are the keys. That’s one of the best lessons I learned from my grandfather.”

You can find Robert’s work on his Facebook Page at Tuscarora WoodWorks or online at www.tuscarorawoodworks.com. Robert can also be reached via email at info@tuscarorawoodworks.com or via phone at 716-512-8777.

Robert J. D’Alimonte
Artist, Owner
Tuscarora WoodWorks
“Unique. Handmade. Haudenosaunee”
http://www.facebook.com/Tuscarorawoodworks

         

Carvings/Sculptures/Pottery

Darrell H. Clause, Jr.
Michael Crouse
Robert J. D’Alimonte
Earl Dionne
David Farnham
Hayden Haynes
William Harjo
Tom Huff
Allan Jemison
Michael Jimerson
Adrian John
Pete B. Jones
Richard F. Big Kettle
John Redeye
Jacqueline Rowe
Tammy Tarbell