The Patagonia Public Library and Patagonia Creative Arts Association (PCAA) have been selected to receive a 2021-2022 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant. The $5,350.00 grant awarded to Patagonia supports a host of programs and events all inspired by “An American Sunrise” by Joy Harjo. Harjo, who serves as Poet Laureate for the United States, is a Native American poet, writer, musician, singer, and activist. Project partners include Borderlands Restoration Network, Friends of the Patagonia Library, PCAA, Patagonia Public Schools, the Patagonia Regional Times, the Patagonia Museum, KPUP and Town of Patagonia.
December 3: 6:00pm – 7:30pm: Indigenous Film Series “RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World” Tin Shed Theater
This documentary shows how pioneering Native American musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives. All ages welcome.
December 9: 6:30pm – 7:30pm: AZ Speaks Keynote: Metalsmith Matriarchs: Makers, Memory, and Reciprocity – Patagonia Public Library
Nanibaa Beck addresses the ways Native women metalsmith integrate indigenous knowledge, practice and tradition into their craft. Beck is a 2nd generation Diné (Navajo) jeweler. This presentation and Nanibaa’s work demonstrate the connection of Native artists to Arizona and beyond as a place and identity.
December 11: 9:00am – 11:30am: Two-Part Art Workshop: Pottery and Clay Making the Indigenous Way – Patagonia Creative Arts Center
Martha Kelly will instruct students on how to identify and collect natural clay from our area and help them to create one of a kind pottery pieces. Workshops include instruction on natural glazing techniques as well as traditional firing methods. Workshop #1 on December 11 will detail pottery-making, This series of workshops will be available to Patagonia students and area adults.
December 11: 7:00pm: Author Reading and Discussion with Brian Jabas Smith – Tin Shed Theater
Tucson author and journalist Brian Jabas Smith will read selections from his new book of Tucson Salvage columns accompanied by a new documentary directed by his wife Maggie Smith.
December 15: 4:00pm – 5:00pm: NEA Big Read Book Discussion: “Secrets from the Center of the World” – Patagonia Public Library
The final book discussion of our NEA Big Read program, Deb Goff will facilitate this discussion of Joy Harjo and Stephen Strom’s collaborative 1989 book of poetry and photography, “Secrets from the Center of the World.”
December 17: 6:00 pm – 8:00pm: Poetry Slam – Gathering Grounds
The Patagonia High School English classes under the direction of their instructor, Journee Hayes, will perform original poetry inspired by An American Sunrise, along with the winners of the PRT’s middle and high school poetry contest. Open to all lovers, readers, and practitioners of the spoken and written word. Members of the community are highly encouraged to share their own or someone else’s poetry.
December 18: 9:00am – 11:30am: Two-Part Art Workshop: Pottery and Clay Making the Indigenous Way, Part 2 – Patagonia Creative Arts Association
Martha Kelly will instruct students on how to identify and collect natural clay from our area and help them to create one of a kind pottery pieces. Workshop #2 will include instruction on natural glazing techniques as well as traditional firing methods.
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.