Garvies Point Museum Presents Films About Native American Women Artists, As Part of Women's History Month

As part of the celebration of Women’s History Month, the Garvies Point Museum in Glen Cove is featuring weekend films about Native American women artists, announced Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. The films are as follows:

“Native American Artist: Helen Hardin, Santa Clara Painter” (29 mins.), March 15 & 16, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.: The abstract geometric paintings of Helen Hardin beautifully illustrate the artist’s struggle to depict aspects of her native heritage yet depart from the Santa Fe/Dorothy Dunn model of her predecessors ? including her mother, the acclaimed Pablita Velarde. This film takes a close look at Hardin’s multi-layered paintings, created with a combination of brushes and drafting tools.

"Native American Artist: Ella May Blackbear, Cherokee Basket-Maker" (24 mins.), March 22-23, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 3 p.m.: Traditional Cherokee culture is seen through the life of the late noted basket-maker, Ella Mae Blackbear. Taped on location at the artist’s home in northeastern Oklahoma, the film follows Ella Mae as she gathers native buckrush and native plants for dyes; reminisces about the instruction she received in weaving from her mother; creates her graceful baskets; and then sells them in a museum store. The history of Cherokee basketry is further documented with examples from Tulsa's Philbrook Art Center collection.

In a related program, the Friends of Garvies Point Museum and Preserve has installed at the Hempstead Public Library an exhibit of Long Island Native American tools and artifacts relating to traditional women’s and men’s work.

The Garvies Point Museum and beautiful adjoining 62-acre preserve are located along Hempstead Harbor at 50 Barry Drive in Glen Cove. In addition to its permanent exhibits, the museum offers a regular schedule of films and other programming related to Native American life and geology.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fees are $2 for adults and $1 for children 4-14 years of age. For additional information, call 516-571-8010.