Native Artists
Curated by Darcy Scott

Native Artists is a collective that showcases visual arts and crafts of local Seneca Nation makers. The exhibition highlights the Spring/Summer seasons and Native American culture. Native Artists will present a series of educational workshops ranging from traditional lacrosse stick making, water drum making, oral history, canvas painting and more. Be sure to follow @native_artists_gallery on Instagram for an updated schedule of workshops.

Be sure to follow @native_artists_gallery on Instagram for an updated schedule of workshops!

About the Artists:

Darcy Scott– My name is Darcy Scott, I am a member of the Seneca Nation Deer Clan, I grew up on Seneca Territory, and continue to reside there today. The Longhouse ceremonies and playing traditional sports such as lacrosse and Snowsnakes have always been a part of my life. As I got older I deepened my knowledge of these practices by learning to craft Lacrosse sticks, Snowsnakes, bows and water drums. Through learning these traditional skills I have developed a unity with my teachers and to those I have competed with. Recently, I have opened an art gallery on Territory to support and promote Native artists creating traditional and contemporary works. Sharing and teaching these skills with others in our community draws out a sense of connection to our identity. It is not only my passion to create these traditional works but to offer opportunities for my community to learn and share their crafts. As we work on our crafts we connect with our ancestors and remember our relatives who crafted like we do.

Toni Scott– Nya:wëh Skäno ~ My English name is Antoinette (aka: Toni); I am a proud member of a federally recognized tribe – The Seneca Nation of Indians(Keepers of the Western Door) – Haudenosaunee – Onondowa’ga:’; located in beautiful Western New York.  My “doll making” journey began in 1995, when I was graciously taught the art of crafting a “no-faced cornhusk doll” by my late grandmother Mrs. Lillian Kane.  She asked me to help … so I helped. I traveled, educated and demonstrated at various venues; while closely watching and learning from my grandmother. And together we created the “Iroquois Doll Makers” est. 1996. After years of being her understudy, I learned how to intricately and properly clothe the dolls. The dolls are clothed in a variety of materials; and like modern day clothes – the clothes tell a story of a particular era or time in history. My interest centers around 1800’s, when trade was welcomed between the settlers and my people.  This introduced glass seed beads, cotton and wool materials and silver; traded for furs, leathers, and wampum.

Clifford Redeye III– I am Onodowa’ga: from the Allegany Territory. I was born and raised on territory and currently reside there. I am a self-taught leather worker and have been drawing and painting most of my life in pencil and acrylics. I specialize in leather work, specifically tooling. I have been working with leather for about 10 years. Most of my life I have worked in the environmental field so much of my art is related to the environment and Iroquois culture. I enjoy creating art based on our stories that have been passed down. I also like to learn different versions of our stories and retell them through my pieces. I have had pieces in various art shows including the Ganondagan juried Art show, the Seneca National Iroquois Museum juried art show, the Heard Museum Juried Art Market, and the Woodland Cultural Center Art show. I have also been the featured artist at the Onohsagwe:de’ Cultural Center in Salamanca, NY and will be part of the Sante Fe Art Market in 2023.

Bradley Jimerson– I earned my degree in 1989 from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Visual Communications program in the field of commercial arts. I use my degree to showcase my ongoing portfolio of design work that I have created over the years. I have held vast in-house positions from entry level to advanced graphic designer positions, in a wide range of industries such as paper industries, academic field, advertising, web development and search engine marketing. As a freelancer, I have been honing my skills as a graphic designer, web application developments and search engine marketing within Western New York area. I owned Just U Pose’ Photography, offering photography portraits, events, wedding, photo-retouch, solitude, corporate and much more. My motto is ‘Just U Pose’! Currently, I am exhibing my paintings at the Native Artists Gallery. Recently, from May through June 10th, I exhibited my 3 paintings in the Native American Art at the Friends of the Burchfield Nature & Art Center at West Seneca, NY. I also entered the 2023 Hodinöhso:ni’ Art, exhibited my acrylic painting entitled “Kaliedoscope Corns, Beans and Squashes.” I am a member of the Native Roots Artist Guild and I am a board member of the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center, Salamanca, NY. Facebook page: facebook.com/bradesignarts Instagram: instagram.com/bradesign_arts

Bernadette Scott– Bernadette Scott is Haudenosaunee (Seneca), deer clan from the Cattaraugus Territory in New York. She comes from a family well-known in the community for teaching, sharing, and making traditional Seneca (no-face) cornhusk dolls, flowers, baskets, and Haudenosaunee social dancing. In addition, she creates traditional braided cornhusk moccasins in various sizes. Cornhusk doll making has been passed down through many generations on her maternal side. For many years, she has been sharing and teaching how to make Seneca (no-face) cornhusk dolls throughout Turtle Island with her family. Bernadette has been making cornhusk dolls since she was a young girl and learned from her (late) Grandmother, Lillian Kane and mom, Marcy Kane. “I continue to share and teach traditional Seneca (no-face) cornhusk dolls and flowers to anyone willing to learn, especially the young and elders because I feel it’s my responsibility to carry on what I’ve been taught especially from my Grandma Lillian. I am thankful I can continue to carry on my family’s tradition.” Nya:weh

Maurice John, Jr.– B.A. Psychology; minor in Media Studies; The Pennsylvania State University, 2004. Photographer, videographer, painter and lifelong student of arts. Drone pilot and proud father. Seneca and Lakota descent.

Samantha Jacobs– Artist working in diverse medias including beadwork, tufting, traditional clothing & jewelry. She works on her pieces because she finds it relaxing and enjoys the process of creating. Whether she is working with beads or making a mess with corn husk or moose hair, her art is free form, and each piece is organic in its growth. Samantha makes art to reflect the world around her in a self-expressive, visually appealing way. No matter what the subject of a piece deals with, whether it’s a random flower or a leaf that caught her eye, or a particularly interesting story she heard along her travels; the completed work is always about telling a story. Often that story is personal, but is one that Samantha wants to keep, remember, and share with others through her work. Samantha Jacobs is a Seneca artist of the Turtle clan from the Cattaraugus Territory. As a child, she learned beadwork from her mother Mary Jacobs. Samantha is known for her beaded moccasins and does quillwork, moose & caribou hair tufting. She is a member of the Native Roots Artists Guild. Samantha works on her home territory where she shares her knowledge as a community educator.

John McLaughlin Jr.– I am a Native American Artist whose primary Media is acrylic onto canvas. My focus art is landscape and abstracts, I also enjoy creating surreal, still life and portraiture. I have over 30 years experience as a self-taught artist with a bit of formal art education. After many years of making art as a hobby and a way to relax then giving it away, I ventured into the professional art world- what a great move. I always remain teachable, learning new techniques or medias. I have been welcomed into the professional art world with open arms. I am very grateful for what I have been blessed with. I love to share my latest works and projects with my community and fans, if you care to follow me, find me at: www.Facebook.com/JMJFineArts.

Richard F. Big Kettle– Richard Kettle learned how to make lacrosse sticks, snow snakes and working with the wood by watching his grandfather, Francis Kettle. Grandpa’s job was babysitting young Richie, however Richie was watching over his grandfather’s shoulder learning everything he did. For each lacrosse stick, Richard carefully hand selects materials from nature, hand-carves then bends the stick, he then hand-laces the netting. He studies the mastery of the old stick makers and takes seriously the responsibility of maintaining the old ways. In all that Richard does, he feels that he is expressing his dreams and visions and carrying out the will of the Creator. Many have made these things before him, passing on their skills for the next generations to continue and improve. Richard’s work is a connection to the heritage and culture of his people. Through his work he preserves the lives of his ancestors and some day his own descendants will do for him. At an early age of 15 he received 1st place ribbon at the 1974 New York State Fair for a clay sculpture. Richard has won multiple 1st place ribbons for lacrosse sticks, birch bark moccasins, basketry, snowshoes, snow snakes, bow and arrow to name a few. Richard also educates by demonstrating lacrosse stick making at public richardswoodys@yahoo.com

Participating Artists: Darcy Scott, Toni Scott, Clifford Redeye, Bradley Jimerson, Bernadette Scott, Maurice John Jr., Samantha Jacobs, Richard F. Big Kettle, John Mclaughlin Jr., & more.