A Weekend of Storytelling & Art!

Abenaki Artist Rick Hunt will lead the Dancing with Pen workshops this weekend at the Abbe Museum.

Join us at the Abbe this weekend for two free days of art and storytelling for children and families!  Abenaki artists Rick and Carolyn Hunt are visiting the Abbe Museum to lead these exciting programs for children, and you won't want to miss it!

Rick Hunt is an accomplished pen and ink artist who has also co-curated two contemporary art exhibitions at the Abbe Museum.  The first, Twisted Path: Native American Artists Walking in Two Worlds was exhibited from December 2008 through January 2010, and was such a success that it was followed in November of 2011 by Twisted Path II: Contemporary Native American Art Informed by Tradition.  About the Twisted Path series Rick has said:

"I am always impressed by how functional pieces can move toward decorative and purposeful design.  In this show, it is evident that the pieces reflect a movement away from tradition and become a reflection of the artists' own personal psychology.  There are beautiful ash baskets and a Pop Art-type beaded bag, and even contemporary fashion design evolving from traditional northeast Native clothing.

When the first Twisted Path show was conceived, through a technicolor dream of mine, it was envisioned as an exhibit that would highlight the idea of the Native artist evolving and often struggling in this Westernized society. Questions about Native identity, spirituality, art, and traditions emerged. What was illustrated by that first show, and this one, is that Native people and our culture are very much alive and well and here to stay."

This weekend Rick will join his wife Carolyn to share Abenaki culture with children and their families.  

Join the Laughing Couple Duo on Sunday March 11 for art & fun!

On Saturday, March 10, Rick Hunt will lead two workshops for children ages five and up.  The first workshop is from 11:00am - noon and the second will be from 1:30-2:30pm.  Rick starts the workshop by teaching children the art of free-form drawing. Children will be encouraged to freely explore their own creativity through drawing, while being inspired by music. The Dancing with Pen workshops are both free and there is no experience necessary; space is limited so reservations are required.  To register please call Raney Bench at 288-3519 or email raney@abbemuseum.org. 

Then, from 11:00am- noon on Sunday, March 11, 2012, Rick and his wife, Carolyn Hunt, Abenaki, will perform a combination of traditional Abenaki storytelling and illustration in the Abbe Museum's Circle of Four Directions.  Carolyn will share stories, while Rick illustrates them as a live performance with input from the audience.  This performance is free open to the public.

We hope you'll join us for these exciting programs!

These programs are made possible through the generous support of the Lynam Trust.  Thank you!