7th Annual Bluff Arts Festival 2011
Bluff, Utah October 20-23
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Schedule of Events
Thursday,
October 20
| 7:00 p.m. |
Fireworks and Telling Stories in the Dark
Master of Ceremonies: Tamara Desrosiers
As a celebration and kick-off for the Festival, local “yarn
spinners” and historians share their stories, poems and recollections.
Bring your folding chairs and stories to share for
this fun evening filled with local lore and fireworks. Storytellers
to start include Vaughn Hadenfeldt, Melvin Gaines,
Jana Simpson and Liza Doran - followed by an open mic.
Bluff Community Center ball field |
Friday,
October 21
| 9:00 a.m. - noon |
Willow Weaving Workshop
Local artist Kyle Bauman will demonstrate techniques of
willow weaving and “yarn spinning”, inspiring each participant
to weave their own unique story. A 2’ x 2’ willow panel
will be created to take home. Maximum 10 participants. Materials
fee: $25. Please bring work gloves and a garden clipper.
Nadabar |
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
Wet Mosaic Fun
Bluff Elementary School Artist-In-Residence Juanita Hull-
Carlson will teach participants how to use mortar and found
objects to explore bas-relief sculpture and a unique method
of mosaic. Maximum 20 participants. Materials fee: $5
Please bring rubber gloves and small decorative items such
as broken dishes, tiles, and colored glass.
Bluff Community Center |
| 8:00 a.m. - noon |
Painting the Landscape:
Oil in Plein-Air
For experienced painters who wish to add open-air techniques
to their repertoire, Bluff artist Eileen Fjerstad leads
an intimate workshop for 6 participants. Bring your own
equipment (6” x 8” canvas panels ideal), and an umbrella.
Cow Canyon Trading Post |
| 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Stories in Polymer Clay
With local artist Susie Dexter, create a colorful model of
your favorite story character, or a bead medallion or pendant.
These items can be used by participants who plan
to attend Saturday’s “Decorate Your Laughing Spirit” workshop.
Maximum 8 participants, ages 6 and up.
Bluff Community Center |
| 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Ancient Rock Art as a
Storytelling Medium
Join local archaeologist Ben Bellorado for a hike and
discussion of how rock art was used by native peoples as a
storytelling device differentially through time. Maximum 15
participants. Bring water, sunscreen, snacks. Hike is somewhat
strenuous.
Meet at Bluff Community Center, then carpool to trailhead |
| 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Trail of the Artists
See Map on printed brochure for Locations |
| 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Something to Say - Teen Open Mic
Bring your costumes and props, instruments and poetry, grab
your best friend and your granny for youth open mic storytelling!
Hosted by Lacey Hook and Michael Blake. Open
to all performers 18 years and under. Audience participation
welcomed.
Bluff Fort Meeting House |
| 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. |
2nd ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL AT THE
BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER
Master of Ceremonies: Gary Lichtenstein, back by
popular demand.
Dolores Porras, Artista Artesana de Barro details the
life and work of Dolores Porras, a Zapotec ceramic artist who
lived in the clay-laden valleys surrounding Oaxaca, Mexico.
Filmmaker, ceramist, and Bluff artist, Michael Peed returned
to document her prolific outpouring of creativity every year
since 1998 until her death in 2010. This film is a celebration
of her life and work.
Bluff Elementary School Learning Project Student
Films were made as part of a US Department of Education
Grant to use media in innovative ways. John Schaefer is
a cinematographic artist and the director of the Children’s
Media Workshop. Numerous films made by the students
will be shown.My
Canyonlands: The Adventurous Life of Kent
Frost is a portrait of the last of the old time river-runners
and a legendary southeast Utah back-country guide. Director/
producer Chris Simon is an award winning documentary
filmmaker who gets her inspiration from the culture and
convoluted landscape of the American West.
After the film screenings, the filmmakers will lead a panel
discussion.
Entrance charge: $5, under 16 free. |
Saturday, October 22
| 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Arts Fair
Bluff and 4-Corners artists and crafters strut their stuff with
displays, sales, demonstrations and workshops. Chef León
Sampson and friends offer culinary delights including luncheon
specials. New vendors welcome; free booth space
inside and out, registration required.
St. Christopher’s Mission
For information and registration, call Red at
435-672-2296, or redstevensgsm@gmail.com. |
| 9:00 a.m. - noon |
Old Pots, Old Stories: The Ancient History of Bluff
as Told Through Pottery
The history of Pueblo pottery technology is used to frame a
discussion of the fascinating “social history” of the Bluff valley.
Local archeologist Jonathan Till lectures, leads discussion
and assists participants in an analysis of real Anasazi
pottery sherds to dig into Bluff’s deep history. Maximum 12
participants - high school and up.
Bluff Community Center |
| 9:00 a.m. - noon |
Fiction or Non-fiction: It Doesn’t Matter!
Writer Kate Niles leads this writing workshop, inspiring participants
to take this extraordinary location as the muse. Maximum
15 participants. Bring writing materials and clothing for
writing outside.
Classroom at the Mission |
| 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
Ceramic Vessel Slip Decoration
Working with local ceramic artist Michael Peed, build a simple
vessel or tile and use liquid colored clay to paint, draw
and decorate. Maximum 12 participants. Clay and slip are
provided. Materials fee: $5.
Bluff Community Center |
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
Decorate Your Laughing Spirit
Led by Bluff jewelry artist Amanda Bouchard, using handmade
beads from yesterday’s “Stories in Polymer Clay” workshop,
your own beads, or treasure from Amanda’s stash,
make a bracelet, necklace or pin that speaks of who you are.
Maximum 15 participants, ages 4 and up.
Bluff Community Center |
| 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
Tribal Group Improv Bellydancing
Bluff performance artist Amy Becenti will lead participants
in practicing a language of movements with built-in cues and
transitions that allow the group to connect and “speak” in an
improvisational dance conversation. Note: only participants
allowed at workshop (no “only watching”). Wear comfortable
clothing that will allow movement. Maximum 20 participants.
St. Christopher’s Mission Community Center |
| 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Two Spirits
This film interweaves the story of Fred Martinez, a Navajo boy
who was also a girl, with a revealing look at a time when the
world wasn’t simply divided into male and female and many
Native American cultures, including the Navajo, held places
of honor for people of integrated genders. In 2001, Fred
Martinez became one of the youngest hate-crime victims in
modern history when he was murdered at the age of sixteen.
The film is the winner of numerous national and international
awards. Co-produced and co-written by Russell Martin, who
will introduce the film and host a question and answer session
afterward. Maximum 50 participants.
Nadabar |
| 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Trail of the Artists
See Map on printed brochure for Locations |
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SATURDAY NIGHT GALA AT THE
BLUFF COMMUNITY CENTER
Masters of Ceremonies: Marcia and Vaughn Hadenfeldt |
| 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. |
Dessert Potluck
Silent Auction: Many wonderful art works donated by local “Trail of the Arts” artists will be auctioned. Funds benefit 2012
Bluff Arts Festival. |
| 6:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. |
Amy Becenti, Featured Artist
Diné Cabaret Bellydance, conceptualized and choreographed
by Amy Becenti. Warrior Hummingbird tells the story: life is
to be lived joyously, fearlessly, and in the service of nature’s
bounty.
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| 7:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. |
Juantio Becenti, Local Diné Composer
Premiers a dramatic piece composed for the Festival; an original
work based on the Navajo emergence story, performed
by strings, voice and found instruments. Juantio Becenti was
Aspen Guard Station artist-in-resident composer in 2009, and
got his first commission at age 15, composing for string quartet
at the Moab Music Festival. |
| 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
Craig Childs, Featured Speaker
Craig Childs is a nationally acclaimed writer who focuses on
natural sciences, archeology and remarkable journeys into
the wilderness. He is the recipient of many literary awards, including
the 2011 Ellen Melloy Fund for Desert Writers award. |
Sunday, October 23
| 9:00 a.m. - noon |
Make Books from the Recycle Bin
Local recycle artist, Ann Kramer, uses recycled materials to
create unique books with pockets and other features. Maximum
10 participants. Bring scissors, glue sticks and recycled
paper, cardboard, etc. Ann will also provide some recycled
materials.
Bluff Community Center |
| 9:00 a.m. - noon |
Pictograph & Petroglyph Photography
Photographers will navigate the challenges presented in
photographing rock art. Local photographer and artist, Dave
Manley shares tips, basic techniques, and equipment selection.
Show up with your camera and see what the day
brings. Maximum 12 Participants, age 16 and older.
Community Center for PowerPoint slide show, then car
pool to Sand Island Ranger Station |
| 10:00 a.m. - noon |
Sunday Morning Cartoons
Cartoon artist Amy Karadbil explores different ways of telling
a story through drawing. Participants will design characters
and draw their own comic pages, as well as create
a short animation by making a hand-drawn flip book. Maximum
10 participants, ages 8 to 18. Some materials provided,
please bring your own pencils and pens.
Bluff Community Center |
For general information call Tina at 435-672-2253 or email:
tkrutsky@frontiernet.net
For workshop registration contact
Lois at 435-672-9987or
stonebirddancing@gmail.com
Sponsored by the Bluff Arts Festival Committee, San Juan Economic Development, Utah Arts Council, Utah Humanities Council,
Rocky Mountain Power, and Business Owners of Bluff.
A
special thank-you to the Decker House, Desert Rose, Kokopelli Inn, and Recapture Lodge for donation of accommodations for our presenters.
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Bluff:
a great place to get away...
Bluff offers many wonderful activities before, during and after the festival. Explore remote canyons and cliffs. Walk or bike the historic district. Visit the Bluff Great House and Bluff Fort. Run the river. Marvel at our star-filled sky. Encounter wildlife, human and otherwise. Discover ancient rock art and ruins. Relax. Unwind. Enjoy.
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