Young female American Indian dancers in front of the art museum

Family Guide to the 2016 Friendship Powwow

It may be September but the Denver Art Museum is still celebrating the summer of Dance! with the 27th Annual Friendship Powwow and American Indian Cultural Celebration. On September 10, 2016, dances, drumming, and more take place on Acoma Plaza (between the museum’s North Building and the main branch of the Denver Public Library). There also are great programs happening inside the museum—and general admission is free! (Youth 18 and younger always receive free general admission to the DAM.)

See Handmade Powwow Regalia

Swing by the Native Arts Artist-in-Residence Studio to see powwow regalia created by artists from the Denver community. Works created by artists Mary Young Bear, Alistair Bane, Verla Howell, and Andy Cozad during their summer residencies will be on display.

Make Beaded Pieces with Local Artists

From 11 am–1 pm make sure to drop by the Bead Studio. Meet local beaders Tawny Herrera, Bronte Martzloff, and Katja Pinkepank, and learn how to make your own beaded pieces. Kids and adults are welcome, and no experience is necessary!

Contribute to a Community Quilt

Head back to Acoma Plaza to work alongside Native Arts Artist-in-Residence Alistair Bane (10 am–4 pm). Get inspired by Dance! and design a quilt square to contribute to a community quilt. If you’re feeling creative, make another quilt square to take home and commemorate the Friendship Powwow.

More Family Fun

In addition to the special Friendship Powwow activities, experiment with motion in the Movement Studio, check out a Family Backpack from the Family Activity Cart (10 am – 4 pm), and visit two Create-n-Takes: Pattern This, Bead That and Shimmer and Shine (10:30 am–4 pm). Learn more about family activities at the DAM.


Programs at the Denver Art Museum are made wonderful, in part, by SCFD.