As we ready for the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center art exhibit at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art in San Bernardino, here are a couple stories behind some of the artwork offering personal, cultural, and spiritual perspectives of local Native American tribal members.
Gourd Rattle Painting
Artist and Bird Singer Gerald Clarke
Gerald Clarke’s painting of a gourd rattle, the instrument used in traditional bird singing, can be seen at the far right as Ernest Siva speaks to the crowd at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s May 2022 reopening.
Gerald Clarke, 2022 Dragonfly Award winner, recently discussed his paintings and sculptures of gourd rattles with us:
“One of the things I think about when I’m making art, I think about the ancient Egyptians. And how do we know about the ancient Egyptians? Well, they have writings. But we also know because of their artists, right? And so, I always felt it was important for an artist to paint what’s going on, you know, to show that. The bird singing was real endangered for a while, and then we had that renaissance, and now there’s a lot of bird singers. … So, by doing the rattle sculpture and the rattle painting, as an artist I just wanted to participate in that rebirth, and to document it, in a way. And so that’s when I started doing the rattle paintings.
“I like the shape of them, too, I find the shape [of rattles] … interesting, humane. … I like the designs …
“When people see these rattle paintings, I’ve never sold one to a non-Native person. It’s always tribal people … I was at a … cultural event. And there was another artist in the booth next to me. He had buffalo, and images of buffalo, and horses on the Plains, and Indians with big headdresses. That’s not who we are, you know? And I was next to him, and I had a bunch of these rattle paintings. And I sold out in a couple hours. He came over, and he was looking.
“And I don’t think I was a better artist than him. But what I chose to do was more relevant to the people who were at the event. It wasn’t just this kind of generic Indian art. It was specific Indian art, here in Southern California.
The artist (left, on stage) singing birds with Bill Madrigal (center) and Michael Madrigal at the 2022 Dragonfly Gala while women dance (Carlos Puma Photo).
“… You have to be in the culture to do this … That’s where I learn. … If you ask most of these bird singers if they’re artists, they’d say no. But I see all their designs on their gourds, and how they’re expressing themselves, in paint. I’m always looking at people’s rattles.”
Wild Mustangs Series
Artist Billy Soza-Warsoldier (1949-2014)
One of several vivid paintings of wild mustangs by Billy Soza-Warsoldier.
He always said he liked to use paint “directly from the tube.” And he also liked to challenge people’s traditional views of “Indian art.”
In 2011, activist and artist Billy Soza-Warsoldier donated a couple oil paintings from his Wild Mustangs series to Dorothy Ramon Learning Center’s Dragonfly Gala silent auction, boosting the auction to a huge success.
Dorothy Ramon Learning Center leaders Ernest and June Siva added other oil paintings from the vibrant series to their personal art collection, including this oil painting showing horses in red, white, and black. These Wild Mustangs have been galloping at the Center for 11 years. The artist inscribed the back of one of the Wild Mustang paintings with a fond personal message to Ernest Siva.
Read more about the exhibit here.
Elder Ernest Siva in the art-filled Gathering Hall before the Center’s grand re-opening in May 2022 after a pandemic pause. We look forward to seeing you at the art exhibit at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407
Upcoming Events!
Flute Class & Gathering
All ages are welcome, kids, too! (Photo courtesy of Dragonfly Wind Flute Ensemble)
Play Native American wooden flutes with the Dragonfly Wind Flute Ensemble players.
After pausing during the pandemic, the monthly flute class and gathering will begin meeting again, starting this Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 1-4 pm at the Gathering Hall at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 127 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning. $10 donation.
You may have heard the Dragonfly Wind flutists playing at the Dragonfly Gala or different community events. You need not be a flute player to participate in the class; simply be interested in learning. All ages are welcome! There will be flutes you can borrow. The class plans to meet on the second Saturday of each month, teacher Brian Woodyard says. For more information, email: Brian Woodyard.
More Flutes As Sunday Concerts Return
San Gorgonio Ballet Company in a previous “Fusion” concert. (Pat Murkland Photo)
Elder Ernest Siva (Cahuilla-Serrano), president of Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, will sing and play Native American flute with the San Gorgonio Ballet Company starting at 3 p.m. on September 25, 2022, when the Center’s “Fourth Sunday” afternoon community benefit concerts return to downtown Banning at Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, 127 N San Gorgonio Ave.
The Center’s benefit concerts feature different kinds of music, and often local artists, in a beautiful venue, the San Manuel Band Gathering Hall. In September Julia Olsen Rodriguez and San Gorgonio Ballet Company will be featured with a ballet fusing classical music and Native American contemporary and traditional music. Ernest Siva will sing and play the flute.
Proceeds from your $10 will benefit the work of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Dorothy Ramon Learning Center, led by Native American Elder Ernest Siva; you’ll help save and share Southern California Native American cultures, languages, history, and traditional arts. More information: EMAIL
Thank you!
Write us, join us, save and share Native American cultures with us. We welcome your EMAIL. Thanks from Ernest and June Siva and Editor Pat Murkland, September 7, 2022. Subscribe, it’s free!