Photo By Juliana Gabriel
Beaded moccasins and other adornments on display during the lecture 'Historic Native American Art Masterpieces in the Plateau Eastward' in the Meese Room Thursday, Nov. 13.

Beaded moccasins, ribbon sashes and woven blankets filled the Meese Room last Thursday night.

Students and community members gathered for the “Historic Native American Art Masterpieces in the Plateau Eastward,” a lecture presented by Benson Lanford and hosted by the Friends of the Hannon Library.

“They [Native Americans] decorate everything. Everything is a pallette,” Lanford said during his presentation.

An expert in Native American material culture, Lanford showed multiple slides on the techniques and characteristics of Native American art through various regions of the United States. In addition, he brought several artifacts to display in the Meese room.

His presentation included everything from blouses with silver broaches to beaded horse masks. Techniques included painting animal hides, weaving with porcupine quills, ribbon work and carvings. Most of these practices originate from ancient traditions and patterns in Native American crafts, Lanford said.

“It’s always interesting to see how they extrapolated from ancient technique,” Lanford said.

Lanford explained that the artwork itself can be viewed in many different lights.

“There are so many levels that you can look at in these pieces. One is the immediate: the beauty, it’s use, what it was made of, and so on,” Lanford said. “The other level is the hidden symbolism in the piece. Many times, the art is a tangible prayer with many meanings.”

One example was a large drum called “The Thunderbird” used for pow wows and other ceremonies. The skin of the drum had a nature scene painted across it. As stated by Lanford, on one level it’s a piece of art, yet on another level, it serves both a functional and a spiritual purpose.

“I think this [drum] is one of the most incredible and complex drums in existence,” Lanford said when describing “The Thunderbird.”

Lanford also explained the intricacy and significance of moccasins.

“A person could spend a lifetime looking at the footwear of North America … the variety of moccasins is seemingly infinite,” Lanford said.

Moccasins vary in type and decoration depending on the tribe, the gender of the wearer and the purpose for wearing them. “Tall” moccasins, as Lanford calls them, resemble boots and, in some tribes, are only worn by women. Moccasins for special occasions are often beaded entirely on the soles of the shoe. In addition, moccasins often include two different patterns or colors of beadwork designs.

Different regions, as Lanford described, focus on different art forms. Beadwork is a popular artistic technique, particularly among Sioux tribes. In contrast, the Southern Plains prefer sparse designs woven into blankets or clothing.

While Lanford’s slides focused primarily on the late 1800s, he argued that modern Native American art is a significant part of the culture.

“Indian arts are alive and well. Marvelous pieces are being made yet today … it always seems to help, though, when the artists learn the techniques of their history,” Lanford said.

To learn about future events hosted by the Friends of the Hannon Library, call 552-6835.