Colorado’s Mesa Verde Artists-in-Residence Program Features Flutemaker David Nighteagle and Other Renowned Artists and Artisans

The thriving artists-in-residence program at Mesa Verde National Park continues to draw collectors and fans of Southwest art with a line-up of well-known local artists and artisans working and exhibiting in the park through September, as well as live performances by Native American dancers.

Highlighted demonstrations for the rest of the season include:

• David Nighteagle – Native American Flute music

Tues., August 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Spruce Tree Terrace

Tues., Aug. 31, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Morefield Campground
Wed., September 1, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Far View Terrace

Fri., Sept. 3, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Spruce Tree Terrace

 
• Mars Chalan- Cochiti Drums – Drum-making Demonstration

September 2-6, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Far View Terrace

 
• Cynthia Yazzie- Navajo Etchware Pottery Demonstration

September 3-7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Far View Terrace

• Randy Dukepoo – Hopi Kachina Dolls Demonstration

September 3-7, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Spruce Tree Terrace

 
• Lightning Hawk Dancers from the Navajo & Ute Tribes

Four performances daily; check with Far View Lodge reception for information on times and exact locations within the park.   

In addition to the above line-up, Navajo rug weaver Doris Tsosie, whose prized rugs are on display and available for sale in the park, will be weaving her creations on-site at the Far View Terrace Gift Shop every Tuesday through Saturday throughout the season.

Park gift shops at Spruce Tree Terrace, Far View Terrace and Far View Lodge offer a variety of distinctive Navajo rugs, handmade flutes, authentic reproductions of classic Indian weaponry, as well as woven baskets, ceramics, handmade drums, kachinas (Native American dolls) and dream catchers.

For those looking to learn a bit more about Native American art and culture, Mesa Verde also offers a series of lectures and performances throughout the season. These lectures, which feature speakers and performers from throughout the Southwest, take place in the park’s Chapin Mesa Auditorium, Chapin Mesa Amphitheater or the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores and are co-sponsored by the Mesa Verde Museum Association and Institute, the Anasazi Heritage Center and ARAMARK. For information about these programs and events, visit www.nps.gov/meve

“Celebrating the art and culture of Mesa Verde’s original inhabitants and preserving the ancient crafts and traditions of the area’s indigenous tribes is incredibly important to us here at Mesa Verde National Park,” said Lynn Mitchell, ARAMARK General Manager.  “Our artists-in-residence program, the ongoing collections for sale in the park gift shop and this lecture series are dedicated to showcasing the heritage of this area. Mesa Verde is now considered a foremost destination for Southwest art, along with places such as Santa Fe.”

Mesa Verde, which is Spanish for “green table,” is the nation’s largest archeological preserve, and the first created to preserve the works of people. More than 1,000 years ago, the Ancestral Puebloans thrived on this high plateau in spectacular cliff dwellings. Today, Mesa Verde seeks to protect and preserve these ancient sites, while providing modern-day visitors with a unique view of the history and culture of the original inhabitants. The park is located between Durango and Cortez, Colorado, south from Route 160.

Lodgings and accommodations include:  Far View Lodge, located 15 miles inside the park, offers 150 rooms, each with a balcony that boasts 100-mile views; and Morefield Campground, located 4.5 miles inside the park. The lodge is open through October, and campgrounds are open through October 17 with 450 campsites. For reservations or more information, call (800) 449-2288 or visit www.visitmesaverde.com

Concessions at Mesa Verde National Park are managed by ARAMARK, under authorization of the National Park Service. Through its sports and entertainment group, ARAMARK provides a wide range of managed services, including food, facility and other support services.  ARAMARK serves more than 50 convention centers, museums, national and state parks, resorts and tourist destinations.  ARAMARK offers organizations a single source provider for concessions, event planning, premium dining needs and catering, restaurants, retail merchandise sales, and recreational and lodging services. 

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August 20, 2004   Posted in: United States SouthWest