Dance Skirt

Before the Renwick museum closed, I was lucky enough to see "Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists." Showcasing artists from the past and present, the variety of media, themes and artistic approaches was mind-boggling. There were so many artworks that spoke to me, but I was especially struck by a Hupa dance skirt that was created about 1875 in Northern California. The deerskin, abalone shells, glass trade beads and grasses hint at the story of the lives of the women who have worn it. A dance skirt lives from the moment of its first ceremonial dance. It is not owned. Instead, the women are its caretakers. See more artworks at: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/native-women-artists