Pine Ridge Reservation Art Supply Drive

We are raising money to build a Virtual Art Supply Store for the Oglala Lakota artists of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation through Seven Fires Art. We are also accepting physical art supply donations - information below. Any donation will help make a lasting impact.

Pine Ridge Reservation, located in South Dakota, is the poorest county in the United States, with a per capita income of less than $10,000. Not only has COVID-19 disproportionately affected the Pine Ridge population’s health, but it has also devastated their economy, which relies heavily on tourism. Due to an extensive Reservation-wide lockdown since March, conditions for the residents have become increasingly dire.

Sales from Native arts and crafts make up approximately 30% of the Pine Ridge economy, but without access to supplies or a means to sell finished artwork, Native artists, along with Native art traditions, are struggling to survive on Pine Ridge.

To learn more about the importance of art in the Oglala Lakota culture, check out this story map: The Artist Journey: Unwavering Hope and Resiliency





The artists of Pine Ridge were especially hard-hit because the lockdown made it extremely difficult to obtain art supplies and profoundly limited the opportunities for artists to sell finished pieces. Many of the Pine Ridge artists do not have internet access or technological means to create an online selling platform.

We are conducting this virtual art supply drive on GoFundMe to raise money to purchase specialty supplies for Pine Ridge Artists to create new pieces and keep their traditions alive.

100% of donations will be dedicated to purchasing art supplies.
 

Finished art will be available for sale at Seven Fires Native Art.  



This year, more than ever, Seven Fires Art has filled income gaps by providing a sales channel for artists. After years of working to create a Virtual Supply Store for artists, restrictions from COVID-19 helped them finalize logistics and realize their goal. It’s beautiful in how it works! Seven Fires provides requested art supplies in exchange for finished artwork, listed for sale at Seven Fires Art. When artists can sell their work, they can reinvest their money for more supplies…and create and sell more artwork! So every gift grows and keeps on giving!


For Boulder-area residents, we are also accepting physical art supply donations. They can be dropped off in a box at 2235 Edgewood Drive, 80304. 


Specifically, we are looking for the following donations:

• Children’s Art Supplies of All Types - (Paper, glue, scissors, markers, etc.)

For Adult Artists:

• Beads, Especially Glass Seed Beads Sizes 10 & 11
• Glovers Beading Needles, Sz 10 & 11
• Good Quality Canvases, All Sizes
• Acrylic Paints & Brushes
• Pastels
• Professional-Quality Colored Pencils
• Antique or Vintage  Ledger Books, Music Sheets, Currency, Maps  (interesting documents for ledger art)
• Pro-Quality Colored Pencils
• Art Stock Paper


Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.


More information about Pine Ridge Center for Artists & Crafters: Seven Council Fires Native Art is a 501c3 nonprofit created to empower and promote Native American artists and crafters and preserve Native art traditions through youth outreach, selling opportunities, education, events, and projects.