[RP TownTalk] Mural Idealist

[Sarah Wayland]

Wonderful idea to include imagery from local native American tribes.

The local tribe I am most familiar with is the Piscataway. Apparently
they were closely allied with the Nacotchtank tribe who lived in what
is now Washington DC (and are a member of the Algonquin tribe).

I could find only one website that mentioned the Woodland Indians, and
must confess that I didn't know much about them until Melissa posted.

At any rate, most of the resources I could find on the web said that
the Piscataway did not leave much of a record of their art - it looks
to be mostly jewelry and costumes. Does anyone know where to find
imagery that would be appropriate?

----

I would like to see some images that pertain to more recent history as
well. Perhaps a picture of the train station and/or a train and
definitely an image of the Riversdale Mansion. Perhaps images from the
Town Seal would be appropriate?

-Sarah

On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 9:30 PM, Melissa Avery <m.avery at rocketmail.com> wrote:
> It is very interesting that you have chosen Native American symbols as a
> place to start your artistic ideas for a mural, but it looks as though you
> have chosen symbols from southwestern Indians.
>
>
>
> Are you aware that we have a very long and influential history of Native
> American culture in the Riverdale Park area?
>
>
>
> The kind of native American that resided in this area were the Woodland
> Indians. Woodland Indian period was from 1000 BC to 1600 AD.
>
>
>
> Captain John Smith explored the upper Anacostia River, which included the
> tributaries in today's Riverdale Park. In fact, the area you propose
> is located near to a tributary of the Anacostia River. The Indians he found
> near the tributaries of the Anacostia River were called the
> Nacotchtanke. Riverdale Park is part of the Anacostia River Trail and a
> Federally designated historic district.
>
>
>
> Many residents in the area have found arrowheads while digging in their
> yards and therefore have experienced a connection with the past.
>
>
>
> A mural with Native American symbolism in this town would be better served
> if it had representative symbols of the indigenous people of the Anacostia
> region.
>
>
>
> Melissa
>
> ________________________________
> From: Christopher Martin <chrism at pgcps.org>
> To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
> Cc: Alice Ewen Walker <alice at ewenwalker.com>; James n Julie Coleman
> <jnjcolemans at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 11:09:49 AM
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Mural Idealist
>
> Hello Riverdale Town Talkers,
> A note from Community Based Classroom Teacher / Riverdale Resident / mural
> planner:
> In my class's conception of this mural  -- the rainbow squares and/or other
> squares in this rough sketch
> (see http://www.muralcollaborative.netfirms.com/muralintro.htm) could
> be filled with symbols designed by local artists/ community members, working
> side by side with CBC students.  In that sense, if there are any strong
> Symbols of Riverdale that Historic Preservationists want to fit into the
> mural - you're more than welcome to.  There are about 7-10 or more squares
> available with this sketch.  We'd love to have and want input/asistance from
> any artists or aspiring artists from town - neighbors Jim L and Sherita S...
> that means you! :)
> If we - cbc artists, riverdale artists/community members-  wanted to change
> the design to some degree to include landscapes/moments from town history..
> we could do that also.  The process of community involvement is as important
> as the artwork in this mural.  The challenge is getting multiple
> artists/ideas into a coherent mural.  I think the sketch's division by
> squares / rainbow of symbols has the potential to incorporate many different
> perspectives into a unified landscape.  By allowing CBC students to follow
> through with their initiative here, getting community involvement (including
> the elementary school too) from experienced artists and beginners - this
> mural can serve many purposes.  It's a big enough bridge for us all to fit
> under it!
> CBC students would like to start attending the Thursday Market to assist us
> locals create potential design squares, have a children's drawing space, and
> raise a little $ for the project, but as of yet have not gotten the go ahead
> from Town / Market leaders.  Town / market leaders... what's up?
> For more info about CBC and its students go to www.pgcps.org/~cbc.
> Thanks for your time.
> Chris Martin
> 301-918-8726
> chrism at pgcps.org
>
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>



-- 
Sarah Wayland
Maryland - USA
sarah.wayland at gmail.com