Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club - Creatives Rebuild New York

A group of children is gathered around a rectangular wooden table, each engaged in crafting with clay. On the table are various tools, including wooden paddles, sponges, and sculpting tools, suggesting an art or pottery class. The children are focused on their work, creating small clay bowls and shapes. The setting appears to be a classroom or art studio, with shelves in the background containing boxes and art supplies. The children are dressed in casual clothing, and their expressions range from concentration to curiosity as they interact with the clay.

Pottery workshop with CRNY artist Katsitsionni Fox

Photo courtesy of Katsitsionni Fox

A group of six children and one adult standing in a line indoors, each holding a rock in their hands. The children are dressed casually, wearing shorts and t-shirts, with one wearing a hat. The adult, standing on the far right, is wearing a pink top and jeans. The floor is wooden, suggesting a gym or hall setting, and the background consists of dark, padded panels. The mood is cheerful, with several of the children smiling broadly.

Pottery workshop with CRNY artist Katsitsionni Fox

Photo courtesy of Katsitsionni Fox

Full shot of a Indigenous woman standing by a river. Her hands are holding a small, round, decorative container or basket made of light-brown or tan leather or material, with patches or patterns visible in a multicolored design.

CRNY artist Theresa Bear Fox

Photo courtesy of Theresa Bear Fox

Three intricately handcrafted, cone-shaped ornaments rest on a wooden surface. Each cone is adorned with small beads, arranged in circular patterns. The cones vary in color: one is predominantly purple with green and blue accents, another is bright orange with green and pink embellishments, and the last one is olive green with purple and blue detailing. Topping each cone is a leaf-shaped pattern enhanced by vibrant beadwork, matching each cone's color scheme. The bases are finished with loops of thread, adding to their ornamental appeal. A rustic texture of the wooden background contrasts with the bright colors of the cones, highlighting their artistic design.

Beadwork led by CRNY artist Tsotawe

Photo courtesy of Tsotawe

Two ornate, handcrafted frames hang from a wooden surface. The left frame is blue with a decorative floral design featuring red leaves and a yellow flower at the top. It also includes beaded tassels at the bottom. The centerpiece is a floral fabric design. The right frame is green, embellished with birds and floral patterns, and features a similar layout with white and blue tassels hanging below. Both frames exhibit intricate beadwork and colorful embroidery.

Beadwork led by CRNY artist Tsotawe

Photo courtesy of Tsotawe

A collection of nine small canvas paintings, each depicting different wildlife and nature scenes. The top row features a vibrant green and brown turtle in a blue background, a dark bear on a verdant patch of grass, and a wolf silhouette against a twilight gradient sky. The middle row includes black and white wolf-themed paintings with varying backgrounds, focusing on the wolf silhouette theme, accentuated by moonlit or surreal backdrops. The bottom row presents a brown bear walking near a tree with rain depicted, a red and orange sunset wolf silhouette, and another wolf figure painted in shades of blue and grey. Each painting is distinct in its style and color usage, reflecting a variety of creative interpretations of nature and wildlife.

Painting led by CRNY artist Brandon Lazore

Photo courtesy of Brandon Lazore

A collection of rectangular grid papers, each adorned with unique, hand-drawn designs and text in black and purple ink. The designs feature a variety of themes: 'THUNDER' with dynamic lettering, abstract patterns, words like 'PAC-MAN' with matching pixel art, and several other artistic renderings including hearts, mountains, and a nighttime landscape. Each design displays creativity in incorporating geometric shapes, traditional pixel art, and stylized text. The collection is arranged in three rows on a light wooden surface.

Painting led by CRNY artist Brandon Lazore

Photo courtesy of Brandon Lazore

A collection of rectangular panels with intricate designs made from small colored beads is arranged on a wooden surface. The panels feature various patterns and images, including silhouettes of people, abstract shapes, and houses, predominantly using shades of purple, white, and black. Some panels contain text, with words like 'BRONC' and 'BUGGY'. Each piece showcases creativity with unique arrangements of beads in different configurations.

Painting led by CRNY artist Brandon Lazore

Photo courtesy of Brandon Lazore

The Collaboration

Artists Tsotawe, Bruce Boots, Alicia Cook, Theresa Bear Fox, Melissa Katsitsionni Fox, Aronhiahies Herne, Carrie Hill, Jack Johnson, Brandon Lazore, and Marjorie Skidders collaborated with the Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club to provide afterschool and summer arts and cultural education for youth. Over the course of the collaboration, artists engaged youth in painting, traditional basketry, beadwork, pottery, and more, using craft as opportunities to teach youth about their cultural traditions and histories.

The Organization

The Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club (ABGC) has been at the forefront of youth development in the community of Akwesasne for over 21 years, serving youth from in and around the territory. It is the only Native American Club in New York State and the only international Club, spanning across the United States and Canadian border. Each year the Club (ABGC) serves over 500 registered Club members through five clubhouses that provide after school programs, summer camps, food, and athletic programs.

It has been a proud moment for me to share my talents with so many young people and hope they learned a little about their culture. Brandon Lazore

The clubhouse is like a second home and family for many of the students and being invited in as a partner is something I will forever be grateful for. Noawen for this fantastic opportunity. Carrie Hill

My greatest highlight was receiving a text from a student thanking me for teaching her, as pursuing beadwork had become a great coping mechanism and had helped get her through the school year. Tsotawe

Artists

Location

Akwesasne, NY

Communities Served

Indigenous

Rural

Youth