Local artists bead panels for hospital
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — Sounding like unspoken family vows, “know me, care for me, ease my way” is the vision statement of Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.
And it’s more than just words.
The saying has been beaded into three panels on display in the entryway to make the hospital more welcoming to its Native American patients.
Now the hospital is “a space more conducive to healing that represents the community,” according to Marie Torosian, education director at The People’s Center, who helped brainstorm the idea of the beadwork.
Local artists Dana Hewankorn, Margaret Mary “Maggie” Sheridan and Gigi Yazzie each chose a part of the vision statement, and each beaded an 8-inch by 10-inch panel.
People came together at the hospital Feb. 26 to celebrate the three-piece artwork at an unveiling and luncheon.
“A year later, here we are,” Camilla Yamada, St. Joe’s manager of plant operations said.
Yazzie chose “Care for Me.” It’s a compilation of three designs — an elder and a caregiver in pink for a cure for cancer; the two surrounded by a heart; and then an eagle feather, “one way our prayers are carried to The Creator,” Yazzie said in St. Joseph’s brochure.
She said she had trouble with the project. First she beaded part of it vertically instead of horizontally. That meant taking out the beads and starting again. While working two jobs, Yazzie said she worried about finishing the piece quickly enough, although it only took her two and a half months.
“I hope (the panels) bring comfort to people,” she said.
“Ease My Way” was Hewankorn’s contribution. The panel depicts two Indian girls hugging near a baby in a cradleboard propped against a tree. In the backgrounds are tipis, a canoe and water.
Alicia Perez, Hewankorn’s daughter, originally sketched the design from her mom’s favorite photo of her herself and her sister, Lela, who has since passed away. Hewankorn used 42 different colors of beads in her art piece, beading with size 11 beads.
She works full time and is studying for a degree in Tribal Historic Preservation, so she only allows herself to bead on Fridays.
Sheridan’s panel shows a young boy fishing in Kicking Horse Reservoir.
“As he looks at his reflection, he sees a young man who makes his family proud, a young man who walks in two worlds … dancing at powwows for his people and those who can no longer dance,” Sheridan said in the brochure.
At the luncheon, Pierre said her model was “this guy here,” patting her son Ignace Pierre-Sheridan on the head. When her panel was completely done, Sheridan didn’t like it, so she tore it apart and started over. Once the beaded panels were finished, Yamada handed the panels over to Shawna Croft, Montana West Gallery in Ronan, who framed the pieces and inscribed flat stones with the vision statement. Jess Croft hung the panels and rocks.
The Sisters of Providence, who founded St. Joseph’s, felt their mission was to serve the community’s unmet needs and embrace their spirituality. Hospital administrator James Kiser said he likes to think of this project as holding that inheritance in trust.
See more photos at
www.valleyjournal.net
