05/14/2026
Lakota Art Day
Saturday, March 16 , 2026 | 10 am - 4 pm (MT)
Theme: The Significance of Four in Lakota Art and Culture
More about our esteemed panelists:
Gerald Cournoyer Sr. is a prominent painter and educator whose work bridges traditional Native American themes with contemporary abstract artistry. An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from the Pine Ridge Reservation, he is also known by his Lakota name, His Many Bears. Gerald was born and raised in Marty, South Dakota, as the youngest of 14 children. He first served in the United States Marine Corps for four years before pursuing a formal art education. He holds multiple advanced degrees, reflecting a lifelong commitment to both his craft and professional development [AA in Fine Arts: Institute of American Indian Arts; Bachelor of Fine Arts: University of South Dakota; Master of Fine Arts (Painting): University of Oklahoma; Master’s in Art Management and Master’s in Philanthropy and Fundraising: Central Michigan University]. Cournoyer's work is characterized by "stylized ledger art" and "figurative Indian portraits" that coexist with "large non-figurative expanses of color".
Martin Red Bear is an acclaimed artist and educator known for blending traditional ancestral styles with contemporary painting techniques. Born in Rosebud, South Dakota, he is a prominent figure in Northern Plains tribal arts. His Lakota name is Héȟáka Glešká (Spotted Elk). Red Bear holds art degrees from the Institute of American Indian Arts (AA in Fine Arts), the College of Santa Fe (Bachelor’s in Visual Arts), and the University of New Mexico (Master’s degree in Art Education). He specializes in combining the pictographic "hide painting" style of his ancestors with modern materials. As a veteran, much of his work honors the Lakota warrior tradition, often bridging it with contemporary military service. Beyond his personal art, Red Bear has been a dedicated educator and cultural advocate to generations of tribal students.
Colleen Cutschall is a prominent visual artist, art historian, and educator. Originally from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, she has lived and worked in Southwestern Manitoba, Canada, since the 1980s. Her multidisciplinary practice spans painting, sculpture, photography, and installation art (often centered on Lakota mythology, cosmology, and the complex relationship between Indigenous peoples and colonial history). Cutschall’s lineage traces back to the Crazy Horse and Black Elk tiospaye - figures who significantly influenced her commitment to maintaining Lakota traditions. She began her formal artistic training in the late 1960s under the renowned Dakota master, Oscar Howe. Her academic background includes, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Barat College in Illinois) & Master of Science in Education (Black Hills State University). Cutschall’s work is characterized by its "flexible and situational" nature, incorporating elements of anthropology, feminism, and natural sciences. Her most publicly recognized work is this bronze sculpture at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana ["Spirit Warriors" (2003)], commemorating those who fought in the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn and serves as a major memorial. Beyond her studio practice, Cutschall has had a distinguished career in academia and curation. Cutshall is Professor Emerita (retired from Brandon University in Manitoba), where she was instrumental in establishing the Visual and Aboriginal Art program.
mary v. bordeaux is a prominent curator, educator, and artist whose work focuses on amplifying Indigenous voices and Lakota cultural practices. She is co-founder and co-director of Racing Magpie, a collaborative art space in Rapid City, South Dakota, that features a contemporary Native art gallery and artist studios. Bordeaux has dedicated her career to the intersection of Native art and community advocacy. Her academic journey includes: Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership (Saint Mary's University of Minnesota), where she explored Lakota epistemology. Master of Fine Arts in Museum Exhibition Planning and Design (University of the Arts). Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies (Institute of American Indian Arts). Bordeaux serves as an assistant professor in the American Indian Studies department at Black Hills State University. Her professional experience spans several high-profile curatorial and leadership roles, including: First Peoples Fund (Vice President), the Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School and the Indian Museum of North America at Crazy Horse Memorial (curatorial positions). As an artist and curator, she emphasizes "Indigenous relationality" and Lakota thought.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Hosting Partner:
Racing Magpie (Rapid City, SD)
10:00am - 12:00pm (MT)
[In-Person] Artist Panel with Gerald Cournoyer (Oglala), Martin Red Bear (Oglala & Sicangu) & Colleen Cutschall (Oglala & Brule), facilitated by mary bordeaux (Oglala & Sicangu).
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EiSgbxVCTJWQUOVYFDWdCg
Panel will also be live streamed on Racing Magpie's page.
12:00pm
Community Meal: Prepared by Laura Schad (Mniconjou)
1:00 - 4:00pm
Community Conversation & Hands-On Art with Gerald Cournoyer, Martin Red Bear, Colleen Cutschall & mary bordeaux
Cradle Board Babies with Denise Harris (Oglala)
Coloring Sheets provided by Delaena Uses Knife (Mniconjou) & Dora Red Owl (Oglala)
Door Prizes
Lakota Art Day is presented in partnership and with sponsorship by: Racing Magpie, KAGA Art, Oglala Lakota Artspace, First Peoples Fund, Chatku Arts Center, Jakalope, and the Journey Museum.
