The Cheyenne River Youth Project will again look to provide children with an outlet through its acclaimed Red Can graffiti project. Photo from Facebook
Red Can Graffiti Jam Set For Second Year
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor
lakotacountrytimes.com EAGLE BUTTE— The Cheyenne River Youth Project will again look to provide children with an outlet through its acclaimed Red Can graffiti project. "At Red Can, Lakota artists and youth paint alongside some of the most acclaimed graffiti artists in the country, and indeed, the world," said Julie Garreau, CRYP's executive director. "It's a celebration of art, music, positive self-expression, exploration of identity and cultural storytelling, and it's simply revolutionary. Especially in Indian Country." The program that is intended to provide youth of the reservation with training in the creation of graffiti art and to give a fresh outlet to those who may need it is in its second year. Last year red Can coordinated a mural that was partially created by visiting artists and local youth. This year’s Red Can event will take place at the Cheyenne River Youth Project and will run from July 6-9.
The RedCan Indian Country Graffiti Jam is underway on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Image from Cheyenne River Youth Project / Facebook
According to the CRYP each of Red Can’s three painting days will commence with a drum song and blessing at 8:30 p.m. in the Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park. The remainder of the days will include the creation of art from the featured artists who will be hard at work in the art park and at various sites around the Eagle Butte community. On Thursday, July 7, Red Can attendees also will enjoy an adult traditional dance exhibition, Scribe's "Rolling Rez" art classes, youth painting with stencils and spray chalk, and a Graffiti Color Run. On Friday, July 8, CRYP will host a "Dakota Dreamers" book signing, Biafra's "Rolling Rez" art classes, a youth traditional dance exhibition, the Spoken Word Youth Group, and Midnight Basketball for teens from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
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Finally, on Saturday, July 9, Wundr will hold his "Rolling Rez" art classes, CRYP will host a community feed from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Supaman-an Apsáalooke rapper and champion fancy dancer from Montana's Crow Nation Reservation, who recently was named MTV's Artist of the Week-will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Each day, guests also may enjoy tunes from DJ Micah Prairie Chicken, freshly prepared meals at CRYP's Keya (Turtle) Cafe, and a 9 p.m. bonfire in the Waniyetu Wowapi Art Park. This year’s artists include Scribe, from Kansas City, Missouri; Serval, from Switzerland; and Cyfi, from Minnesota's Twin Cities. They will join returning artists East, from Denver; Kazilla, from Miami; and Biafra Inc., Daesk and Wundr, all from the Twin Cities. The public is welcome to watch the artists at work. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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