Idyllwild Arts Foundation presents its annual Native American Arts Festival (NAAF) Week at the Idyllwild Arts campus from Sunday to Friday, June 18 to 23. The weeklong event, which has run each summer for over two decades, is designed to enhance and enrich the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program with Native American arts-based programming, including an invitational exhibition, demonstrations, Native food tastings and the Michael Kabotie Lecture Series. All festival week events are free and open to the public.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IAF
Idyllwild Arts is an institution rooted in respect, reverence and support for Native American people and is the only residential arts high school in the country to offer a Native American Arts program. Native American Arts Center Executive Director, Shaliyah Ben (Diné) is again leading the NAAF. Her vision will bring to life this year’s theme, an examination and celebration of Native humor, comedy and joy.
After the past few difficult years, humor is an important tool to help heal within while also coping with and accepting new realities. The unique week of programming seeks to inspire internal reflection and laughter while also igniting important conversations about topics that shape Indigenous communities by bringing together scientific, intuitive and trickster voices for a balanced and provocative learning experience.
Highlights of this year’s festival include the Opening Day Celebration “Welcoming Home the Birds,” a full day of cultural programming and sharing of Cahuilla and Serrano Bird Singing. Attendees are invited to taste Willie Pink (Luiseño) California Native foods.
A plethora of artist vendors and hands-on activities will be provided by Tony Soares, Lily Clarke (Cahuilla) and Lorene Sisquoc (Cahuilla/Apache) with the Mother Earth Clan. Curated by Meranda Roberts (Numu/Xicana), this year’s invitational exhibition “Still We Smile: Humor as Correction and Joy” opens Monday, June 19 and will feature a range of artistic mediums.
The week of programming will culminate with The Good Medicine Comedy Showcase on the evening of Friday, June 23. For the full schedule, visit https://idyllwildarts.org/nativeamericanarts.
