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Robert Crying Redbear, a world-renowned Cree artist is opening a workspace in Winslow. The space, named Red Rock Artists’ Guild, will feature the work of Native American artists from around the country, is located at 202 E. Second St. in Winslow.
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Redbear introduced himself, “I am a Woodland Cree, from the northwest. I am the last of my clan, the Star Clan and there are only 160 families left in my tribe. I can’t go back to my people because I can’t marry into them, our clans clash. So, for the last 30 years or so, this area has been my home.”
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Redbear said, “In about 2003, my wife and I founded the Red Rock’s Native Arts Guild. We had a shop here in Winslow for about eight years. We had some things happen that caused us to move back to the Hopi Reservation and open a shop there instead. After the passing of my wife, I left the Hopi village and came back to Winslow.”
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According to Redbear, his eventual goal is to make the guild into an artist’s colony. “We are already looking at buildings and spaces here in Winslow where artists can live and work.”
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“For those that don’t understand what a guild is, it’s not a gallery. A guild is where artists can come and work and sell from their own table. We won’t take anything from them. In fact, we will give them any supplies they may need like brushes, ink, sandpaper, carving knives. We don’t charge guild members for workspace. This is so we can make sure that the artist has an opportunity to make money for their family.”
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Having grown up on reservations himself, Redbear offered this perspective, “Living on the reservation, I will tell you, is very difficult. Most of these people cannot afford to come in off the reservation, so we want to give them a chance to make some money for themselves.”
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The mission statement of the Red Rocks Native Arts Guild mentions the establishment of a space for artists to create. It also strives to make Native America artists more visible to the greater public by “educating that public on the diversity and value of Native American peoples and cultures.”
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The guild is an ever-evolving entity according to Redbear, and is constantly looking to expand its reach. “We are a 501c3, as designated by the IRS,” Redbear said. “That way, we can ask donors for money to help sustain what we are doing.
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Currently, Redbear said, there are hundreds of guild members. “Any artist can apply to be a part of this, we won’t exclude, for obvious reasons, but we are mostly looking for Native artists. Right now, we have mostly traditional artists, but we have space for more contemporary artists as well.”
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In addition to the studio, Redbear also would like to promote festivals and events featuring Native art and music. “We already have a music event in the works for May of next year,” he said, “I won’t give you details on that just yet, but there will be some important artists joining us.”
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Redbear is an artist in his own right and will be selling his work in the shop to help sustain the project. “I am one of four traditional mask makers in the Native world. The masks I make are majestic and no two are ever alike.” Masks, he said, are his specialty, but Redbear works in many mediums. From jewelry to batik and weaponry, he is a talented artist that is passionate about Native arts.
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His traditions and stories of his ancestors run deep. He explained, “These stories and the art we create in honor of them are not fiction. They are all very real to us. When I am creating these masks and other works, each spirit speaks to me and guides me as to what they want to say.”
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The public is invited to see Redbear’s masks alongside other artist works at the Red Rocks Native Arts Guild. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday. The shop is closed on Sundays.
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A grand opening event will be held the weekend of Oct. 18 through 20. To apply to be part of the guild or to donate, contact Robert Redbear by telephone at (928) 613-4112.
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