Sonoma County Pomo Dancers
I began working with Joe Salinas, and the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers he founded, in February 2010. The group, comprised mostly of young people ages 3 and up, meets weekly to practice at the Sonoma County Indian Health Project (SCIHP) in Santa Rosa. This group of children, youth, and adult mentors travels all over Northern California, giving dozens of performances annually, and is sustained by parents and volunteers.
I first became curious about Native American cultures and art when I was a young child. My interest deepened later as a social justice activist, when I began working to expand my knowledge and understanding about national and local Native American history. My affiliation with Joe Salinas and the dancers developed after I became a founding member of the Pomo Project (based in Sebastopol), which created Pomo Honoring Month. Each year during the month of October, the Pomo Project sponsors events such as movies, presentations, plays, art exhibits, poetry readings, and Pomo Dancer performances. After meeting Joe Salinas, I began volunteering at SCIHP with an after-school program. In exchange for permission to photograph the dancers, I taught photography and a little multicultural art history, invited local artists to facilitate painting workshops, and exhibited the children’s wonderful art work in local venues.
I continue to attend as many dance practices, special events, and performances as possible. Photographing the dancers in a variety of environments is fun and challenging, and I hand out pictures to the kids as fast as I can print them! This has been an educational, moving, and enriching experience for me on many levels. My hope is to continue to assist Mr. Salinas in expanding his vision of serving more Native young people as they participate in this deeply spiritual cultural tradition. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to build friendships with this generous and committed group of people.
The dancers have also inspired two additional bodies of work: Impressions and Spirit Dancers. A percentage of sales from all of my exhibits where the dancers are featured is donated to the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers.
NEW: Metini Day at Fort Ross, 2018 and 2019
I first became curious about Native American cultures and art when I was a young child. My interest deepened later as a social justice activist, when I began working to expand my knowledge and understanding about national and local Native American history. My affiliation with Joe Salinas and the dancers developed after I became a founding member of the Pomo Project (based in Sebastopol), which created Pomo Honoring Month. Each year during the month of October, the Pomo Project sponsors events such as movies, presentations, plays, art exhibits, poetry readings, and Pomo Dancer performances. After meeting Joe Salinas, I began volunteering at SCIHP with an after-school program. In exchange for permission to photograph the dancers, I taught photography and a little multicultural art history, invited local artists to facilitate painting workshops, and exhibited the children’s wonderful art work in local venues.
I continue to attend as many dance practices, special events, and performances as possible. Photographing the dancers in a variety of environments is fun and challenging, and I hand out pictures to the kids as fast as I can print them! This has been an educational, moving, and enriching experience for me on many levels. My hope is to continue to assist Mr. Salinas in expanding his vision of serving more Native young people as they participate in this deeply spiritual cultural tradition. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to build friendships with this generous and committed group of people.
The dancers have also inspired two additional bodies of work: Impressions and Spirit Dancers. A percentage of sales from all of my exhibits where the dancers are featured is donated to the Sonoma County Pomo Dancers.
NEW: Metini Day at Fort Ross, 2018 and 2019
Metini Day at Fort Ross, 2018 and 2019
Pomo Project Art Show
October 2020 was the 11th annual Pomo Honoring Month in Sonoma County. This year's art show — online because of the pandemic — is entitled "Legacy: Honoring the Pomo People." The show has been extended through February 2021. Through paintings and photographs, Sandy Eastoak and Christine Cobaugh share some of their work that has been inspired by Pomo culture and the sacred land we all inhabit.
The show runs through February 2021. Legacy: Honoring the Pomo People
The show runs through February 2021. Legacy: Honoring the Pomo People
Personal Note: Sandy Eastoak's Legacy
The Pomo Project Art Show in part is a tribute to Sandy Eastoak's legacy. She was co-founder of the Pomo Project in 2009, and I have served on the coordinating team since its inception. This exhibit was planned months before Sandy's death on June 5, 2020. Sandy and I had been friends and colleagues since 2007, and had created many exhibits together over the years. Sandy was a multi-talented artist, and I miss her friendship and wisdom.
— Christine Cobaugh
— Christine Cobaugh
All images © 2024 Christine Cobaugh. All rights reserved.