Many of the Pueblos share in the same types of ceremonies. The summer Corn Dance begins in the privacy of the Kiva where the super naturals bestow promises. When the time is right, the dance moves outside to the Plaza.

Taking the dance into the light of day, the promises made in the Kiva for the germination and growth of the crops are made known to the world through the song and gesture of the dancer. Here, a Santa Clara child through her rhythm and movement is “Bringing the Buds to Life.”

BRINGING THE BUDS TO LIFE
Bronze, Edition of 35
20” H x 8” W x 7” D

Four Bears was the principle chief of the Mandan’s in the 1830’s. There are many descriptions of his dress as he was a favorite model of both Bodmer and Catlin.

From accounts I’ve read, the headdress depicted here is full of symbolism. The eagle feathers in his hair are symbols of coups and the split turkey feather indicates an arrow wound. The owl feathers show his membership in the Dog Society and the six wooden sticks represent bullet wounds he had endured. The knife he took from a Cheyenne warrior in hand to hand combat is replicated by the knife he wears in his hair and he is shown carrying his favorite tomahawk.

FOUR BEARS, Bust
Bronze, Edition of 50
16” H x 7” W x 6” D

An old warrior holding a coup stick from the days of his prime reflects on his youth and his many exploits of “Glories Past.”

GLORIES PAST
Bronze, Edition of 35
19” H x 17” W x 14” D

The Game of Arrows won the gold medal and the Kieckhefer Award for Best of Show at the Cowboy Artists of America show and John also won the gold medal for his drawing, Lives With Honor. At the 2010 Masters of the American West show at the Autry Museum, he received the Kenneth and Eileen L. Norris Foundation Award for Sculpture for his bronze The Game of Arrows.

THE GAME OF ARROWS
Bronze, Edition of 12
60 ½” H x 26” W x 16” D