Just folking around

According to the North Dakota Council on the Arts website "The Art for Life Program seeks to improve the emotional and physical health and wellness of elders in care facilities, as well as those living independently, through intensive art and artist interaction."

The projects or at least out Tree of life project served as somewhat of an illustrated life review and used the book "Sundogs and Sunflowers" as its centerpiece. The full title is "Sundogs and Sunflowers: Folklore and Folk Art of the Northern Great Plains" it was published by the NDCA and compiled by NDSU Professor Emeritus Dr. Timothy J. Kloberdanz and NDCA folklorist Troyd A. Geist.

Did you know that North Dakota had a folklorist? I'm still convinced that Troyd has the best job of all time.

The book itself covers everything from weather-lore to ghost stories, seasonal anecdotes, water witching variations of family tradition and a bunch of other really cool stuff. Folk arts such as antler carving, pysanka, wycinanki, and even the forging of German Russian iron crosses. It's safe to say that there's something for everyone within those pages and I personally have used it for reference on multiple occasions. Then again I also have a copy of "Plainsfolk" and my North Dakota WPA guide book with me on hand while exploring lonely gravel roads.

In 2016 I had the opportunity to participate in my first Art for Life activity at the Ave Maria care facility in Jamestown. We did a seven foot tall wycinanki tree of life. We--my paper cutting mentor Meridee and I met there once a week for six weeks. Each week we had a different theme and produced a different paper cutting pattern or two for the day's activity. Wycinanki is a Polish folk art. It is their paper cutting. It's known for its use of brightly colored paper and is more collage oriented than the silhouette based design of German scherenschnitte.

It was a fun and challenging project but the main challenge we faced while creating the patterns was guessing the resident's finger dexterity--would they even be able to cut out these designs? Naturally each case is different. Some people cut like no one's business while others required a little more one on one and it was totally fine. We made it work--we worked together and thankfully the elders were happy with the work.

Heck they had something cool to look forward to each week and they had something beautiful to show for it and the tree hangs proudly in their activity room for all to see. The activities directors even organized an art reception once it was completed. They not only showcased the tree they displayed various projects and some of the resident's poetry. We even snacked on some cheese and wine.

I'm gearing up to do it again this spring. I was asked to lead some Tree of life Art activities in both Ellendale and New Rockford. I really look forward to it. I would have to say that it was one of the most fulfilling art experiences that I've ever been a part of. The intent is to challenge the three plagues elders face head on. Loneliness, helplessness and boredom. Plus with each visit I gleaned a bit of insight too. Most of the time I enjoy old folks more than young folks--they have way better stories and I often feel that we're kindred spirits...I may have just been born too late.

Maybe some of the best advice I ever received was from my grandpa, "Listen up kid you might learn something!"

I always have to get on my little soapbox in instances like this--only to stress the importance of the folk arts and traditional arts in our area. Not only does it spark an multiple generation conversation it's something we can all relate to. It's art and it's our culture--there's history behind it and it stimulates those conversations. Even if someone knows nothing about art they may recognize the elaborate scrollwork in rosemaling because their grandmother did it or they might even begin to recognize some of the baked goods they grew up with as folk culture. It's important that these traditions be passed on--it's the fabric of our culture.

In learning more and more about the traditional arts I've come to learn that each culture has its own paper cutting traditions whether it be Japan, Poland, Germany, Mexico and so on and so forth. There are even floral painting traditions with designs that parallel each other. Regardless of the medium there are common themes cross culturally. If you ever get the chance google Ojibwe floral designs and wycinanki patterns--two completely different cultures but similar subject matter.

Maybe art is our universal language--maybe it's the tissue that binds us.

I learned scherenschnitte and wycinanki courtesy of an apprenticeship grant from the NDCA. The intent of the award is to perpetuate those arts so they don't become forgotten. It pairs mentors with apprentices and the two (sometimes three) work closely together to learn these crafts so they can pass them on through community involvement and education.