Governor's Collection of Contemporary Native American Crafts

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The Governor's Collection of Contemporary Native American Crafts

The Governor's Collection is a collaborative effort between the New York State Museum and Native American communities to create a collection of contemporary crafts representing the living culture and thriving art of Native People's of New York. Since 1996, the Museum has worked with Native American artists each year to collect examples of beadwork, basketry, sculpture, silverwork, clothing, carving, and pottery. The collection reflects the broad range of artwork from Native artists from functional to unique and decorative, and from traditional to modern in style and technique. Award winning artists such as Tammy Tarbell-Boehning, Mohawk, Peter Jones, Onondaga, and Rosemary Hill, Tuscarora, are among those represented in the Museum's recent acquisitions.

Recent Acquisitions

Tammy Tarbell-Boehning, Mohawk, Turtle Clan
Whimsey, 1999
Ceramic with beaded strawberry decoration.

Tammy received her Bachelors in Fine Arts degree in 1980 from Syracuse University, studying ceramics. Her work has won numerous awards, and in 1996, Tammy was presented with the "Excellence in Iroquois Arts" award, presented by Judith Hard, representing New York State Governor George E. Pataki. Her work has also been exhibited at numerous institutions including the Museum of the American Indian, New York, NY, and the American Indian Archeological Museum, Washington, CT.

Peter Jones, Onondaga, Beaver Clan
Wolf Clan Singer, 1999
Stoneware sculpture.

Peter, also a recipient of the "Excellence in Iroquois Arts" award presented at the Iroquois Museum, Howes Cave, NY, in 1990. He studied under Hopi artist Otellie Loloma while attending the Institute of American Indian Art, NM and his work is in the collections of museums like the Everson Museum, Syracuse, NY, the Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ, and the Museum of Anthropology, Frankfurt, Germany.

Rosemary Hill, Tuscarora, Beaver Clan
Dolls, 2000 Traditional style Iroquois clothing and beadwork on Cabbage Patch dolls.

Rosemary began learning her craft at the age of seven, from her mother and grandmother. An accomplished beadworker, she now has work in a traveling exhibit "Across Boarders" at the Castallani Museum, NY, July 1, 2000 - December 2000. Her work can also been seen at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, CT, and the Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, CO.

Todd Prescott, Tuscarora, Beaver Clan
Gustoweh, 2000
Turkey feather headress with beaded brim.

Self-taught, Todd watched and learned from his elders on the Tuscarora territory, Lewiston, NY. Men of each Nation of the Iroquois wear a particular style Gustoweh. This style headdress represents the Tuscarora Nation.

Larry (Many Hats) Jacobs, Stockbridge-Munsee Gourd Rattle, 1997
Decorated with the Tree of Peace, and Flowering Tree of Life.

Larry is a self-taught artist who began his craft 35 years ago when his son began to dance in competitions. He began by creating his son's "regalia," he now travels the "Powwow circuit" and sells his work to others as well. For the last 10 years he's been working at it full-time making objects that have a specific purpose. On this piece he illustrates the symbols, Tree of Peace, Tree of Life, Wolf Clan and Acorn Branch (a symbol of "strength").

Larry (Many Hats) Jacobs, Stockbridge-Munsee
Feather Box, 1997

Decorated with a crane, a symbol of long life and the four birds are messengers to the "Four Directions." The box is made for only one feather. This indicates that the feather stored in the box would have to be very special.

Larry (Many Hats) Jacobs, Stockbridge-Munsee
Fan, 1997
Turkey feathers wrapped with a hide handle.

The turkey is a symbol used on the flag of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans

Donation
Sam Thomas, Cayuga
Pin Cushion

Twenty-two years ago, encouraged by Jean Knox at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Sam set out to resurrect 17th and 18th Century beadwork styles. Today his work is in the permanent collections of the museums such as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, The Royal Ontario Museum, The Rochester Museum as well as private collections in England, Holland, Germany and Australia. His work has earned him numerous awards including the Judge's Choice at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, CT.

For more information call (518) 474-5813 or write Anthropological Survey, New York State Museum, 3122 Cultural Education Center, Albany, New York 12230.