Catskills Folk Connection Honors Indigenous Peoples Month with Upcoming Exhibit, Lecture and Workshops

A version of Wilma Cook Zumpano's beaded and embroidered vase will be featured in Catskills Folk Connection's exhibit "Indigenous Delaware County: Lenape and Mohawk Fiber Traditions.

ARKVILLE — Learn about early Lenape traditions and modern basketry. Tap into contemporary Haudenosaunee high arts of beading, embroidery and fingerweaving, all presented by Catskills Folk Connection. 

On Friday, October 24, Catskills Folk Connection’s exhibit “Indigenous Delaware County: Lenape and Mohawk Fiber Traditions” will open in the Erpf Gallery at the Catskill Center. it is located at the intersection of State Highway 28 and  County Route 38 in Arkville. Turn up the driveway (past the bronze life-size cow) and proceed to parking in the back or park along Route 28.       

Displays will cover Lenape historical fiber use in structures and other practical applications such as cordage; fingerweaving of traditional Haudenosaunee sashes by contemporary artist Marilyn Isaacs (Tusarora/Mohawk); and raised-bead embroidered cushions, vases, and jewelry by Wilma Cook Zumpano (Akwesasne Mohawk).  There will also be a black ash splint basket that represents the sharing of traditions among Nations by Lenape artist Theresa Johnson. 

Fiber traditions were well-developed by the time the Lenape had contact with Europeans.  Justin Wexler, an ethnoecologist and scholar of Lenape history, traditions and language, will offer an illustrated talk at the Catskill Watershed Corporation’s auditorium,  November 22 at 1 p.m. illuminating the Lenapes’ uses of different native plants in their everyday life. 

On the first two weekends in November (actual days TBD), Wilma Cook Zumpano will be teaching up to seven participants how to create a project in raised-bead embroidery and Marilyn Isaacs will be teaching a similar number of participants to make a miniature fingerwoven project.  We expect to offer short public receptions for the artists at the end of their respective workshops.  

Admission to Justin Wexler’s lecture is free, but registration is requested. To register for the lecture contact Ginny Scheer 607-238-9162  or gscheer.mcs@gmail.com.

Registration and payment for the workshops opens on October 17. with a deadline of October 30.  To reserve their spot in Wilma’s (beadwork) or Marilyn’s (fingerweaving) workshop Catskills Folk Connection’s email list members will receive a statement of workshop fees and a registration form that enables them to pay online or by check. Post card list members and others can obtain the form from Ginny at the above phone number or email address.  Places in each workshop are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and will be confirmed according to the date of online payment or the postmark on the mailed in registration. 

“Indigenous Delaware County: Lenape and Mohawk Fiber Traditions”  will run from its opening on October 24 through December 7, Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On  December 7 there will be a closing reception from 1 pm through 4 pm., where visitors will have an opportunity to meet the artists.  Whether or not you’ve visited the exhibit earlier or attended a workshop, come celebrate the successful run of Catskills Folk Connection’s 6th folk

art exhibit.  

This folk art exhibit is funded by the O’Connor Foundation and by a Delaware County Arts Grant, a re-grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the office of Gov. Hochul and the NYS Legislature, administered in Delaware County by the Roxbury Arts Group.