RedCan 2020 is almost here. The Cheyenne River Youth Project’s 6th annual, award-winning invitational graffiti jam is scheduled for this Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 12-15, and the nonprofit youth organization confirmed today that it will incorporate both virtual and in-person elements.
Thanks to innovative online broadcasting tools and engineering, CRYP will be able to share the excitement and magic of RedCan with audiences around the world through Facebook, YouTube, and its own website. Audiences will be able to watch live, artist-led discussions involving RedCan 2020 themes: “Changing the Narrative — the Power of Messaging Through Public Art,” “Remembering Your Medicines,” and “Powered by Our Ancestors — How Traditions Inspire Indigenous Artists.”
Viewers also may join the RedCan Classroom at 3 p.m. each day. Not only are select RedCan artists offering remote-learning art activities for young people, CRYP is again partnering with First Peoples’ Fund’s Rolling Rez Arts to provide Cheyenne River youth with in-person art workshops. On Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 3 p.m., Wade Patton will teach oil pastels; on Thursday, Aug. 13, Micheal Two Bulls will teach photo transfer printmaking; and on Friday, Aug. 14, Gus Yellow Hair will teach miniature shield making.
“We’re excited about this, because audiences will be able to experience the creativity, learning and fun in real time,” said Tyler Read, CRYP’s youth arts director. “The workshops are open to Cheyenne River youth of all ages, but to keep class sizes within Covid-19 health guidelines, we are asking all participants to make reservations to secure their places. If you are interested in reserving a spot, please call the CRYP campus at (605) 964-8200.”
Throughout the week, RedCan online broadcasts also will incorporate the original creations of DJ Micah. This talented Oglala Lakota hip-hop enthusiast and turn-tablist has performed at every RedCan since its 2015 inception.
“We’re thrilled to have Rolling Rez Arts and DJ Micah with us for RedCan 2020,” said Julie Garreau, CRYP’s executive director. “This has been a challenging year for everyone, so we’re deeply grateful to all of the artists and partners who are joining together with us — not only to lift up our Cheyenne River community, but also to share our voices and stories with the rest of the country and the world.”
Then, of course, there are the artists. RedCan 2020 will feature East in Denver; Biafra, Wundr and Cyfi in Minneapolis-St. Paul; Hoka in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dwayno Insano in Scottsdale, Arizona; 179 in Seattle; Sadat and Collins in Rapid City, South Dakota; and Wakinyan Chief and Unalee Howe in CRYP’s Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.
CRYP will formally unveil the final murals in a closing broadcast on Saturday evening, Aug. 15. This final broadcast will feature special guests, and a special performance from Midnight Express.
“Once each broadcast goes live, you’ll be able to find it on Facebook, YouTube, and our website at lakotayouth.org,” Garreau said. “And if you can’t catch the broadcasts live, the videos will remain accessible for you to view at a later time. We hope this allows everyone to become part of the RedCan story, and part of our story.”
A full broadcast schedule will be available prior to the event on the CRYP website at lakotayouth.org, on the youth project’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel, and through Social Distance Powwow’s Facebook group. Interested followers also can search for #redcan, #redcan2020, and #redcanrising on social media for the latest updates.
To learn more about RedCan 2020, visit www.lakotayouth.org/redcan. You’ll also be able to view video documentaries and photo galleries from previous years, bios for featured artists and special guests, and more.
To learn more about the Cheyenne River Youth Project and its programs, and for information about making donations and volunteering, call (605) 964-8200 or visit lakotayouth.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest CRYP news and events, follow the youth project on Facebook (/LakotaYouth), Twitter (@LakotaYouth) and Instagram (@lakotayouth and @waniyetuwowapi).
The Cheyenne River Youth Project, founded in 1988, is a grassroots, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a wide variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities that ensure strong, self-sufficient families and communities.