Dakota artist to feature work at Coffeyville Powwow 

Joseph Chamberlain, is a self-taught artist who portrays the traditions and spiritual aspect of Plains Indian people with his one-of-a-kind paintings in water color, colored pencil, acrylic and pen and ink.  He was born in 1961 and is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.  His parents were Earl Fredrick and Myrtle Saint Pierre of Greenwood, South Dakota.  As a multi-talented artist, Chamberlain also sculpts his own dolls and fabricates all of their regalia.  He seeks his inspiration from stories he remembers hearing as a young child.  He hopes the images that he produces portray certain traditions that have been handed down generation to generation.  They also tell stories about what makes his people who and what they are from beginning to end. 

Chamberlain has called Tulsa, Okla. home since 1979.  His art has graced many books and CD covers.  His art has earned him a Peoples Choice Award, Storyteller Award and a Judges Award at Red Earth 2006.  He also illustrated the 2005 Nammy-nominated children’s book, How Not to Catch Fish.  Chamberlain is a tireless advocate for American Indian wellness and the betterment of all Indigenous people.  To view more of Chamberlain’s work visit his site at www.yanktonart.com.  

You can meet Chamberlain and purchase his works at the 15^th Annual Coffeyville Gathering and Indian Art Market on April 18-19.  The Gathering begins on Friday, April 18 with a Stomp Dance from 7-11 p.m.  The event continues on Saturday, April 19 with a Gourd Dance and Powwow starting at 3 p.m.  All events are held in the Nellis Gym of Coffeyville Community College (CCC) at 604 W. 11 St. (Hwy. 166) in Coffeyville, Kan.  Vendor space is free with a donation.  The Gathering is presented by the CCC Native American Leadership Association and the Coffeyville Public Schools Title VIII and JOM Indian Education programs.  Coffeyville Indian Education is funded by two federal grants: Office of Indian Education for $84,101 and Johnson-O'Malley Cherokee Nation Co-Partner Program for $8,500. 

For more information about the Gathering and to reserve a vendor space call 620-252-7135, 620-252-6426 or e-mail kimlay@coffeyville.edu or vm@coffeyvilleindianed.org. 

Samples of Chamberlain's work.