CRAZY HORSE, S.D. – The students of the Shannon County School District brought a touch of youthful class into the unique setting of the cultural and education center at Crazy Horse Memorial.
A program that began seven years ago because teachers were uncomfortable teaching art in the classroom, has become an annual event students look forward to, said Terry Joe Clifford, director of the Supplemental Art project.
The third- through eighth-grade students are treated to an honors lunch, which Clifford said makes them feel special. For the past two years Crazy Horse Memorial has been the site of the lunch and artists reception with the art display.
The program works on a two-semester system. During the first semester, painting and sketching are taught and three-dimensional art is incorporated into second semester work. The students receive awards and Clifford said all are winners.
The purpose is to promote art on the reservation and let students know they can make a living with their art in the future.
Clifford said the emphasis at reservation schools has been the three Rs, and art previously was relegated to a “back burner.”
The stress is on cultural art, which Clifford said, builds self-esteem. “Nobody loses.”
The school district supplies the materials so it is not a hardship on any of the schools.
“Everybody gets to see I did a good job,” said Kate Swallow, a sixth grader from Red Shirt School. Kate has taken part in the Alternative Art program since kindergarten.