Highlighting the continued vibrancy and artistic traditions of Native American communities – and the local tribes who helped shape San Antonio – the Briscoe Western Art Museum invites everyone to enjoy its annual Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival. The event is FREE and includes admission to the Briscoe, making it a perfect way to celebrate the important role Native Americans played in shaping the West while enjoying art and artifacts that highlight Native American history.
The FREE community festival features live performances, storytelling, artist demonstrations, pottery and carving, as well as Native American-inspired food, including REZR’vation Only, a food truck featuring Native American-inspired cuisine that is owned and operated by a registered member of the Navajo Nation. The event starts with a Native American spiritual blessing, followed by a ceremonial drum circle that invites everyone to join.
The annual event is named in honor of the Payaya people who were indigenous to the San Antonio area. “Yanaguana” was the word they used to describe what is now known as the San Antonio River. The festival groups with historical roots in the San Antonio area and highlights a core pillar of Western art featured in the Briscoe’s collection. The festival has been held annually since the museum opened, with 2020’s event taking place virtually. Fun for all ages to enjoy, so come on down with your family and friends! Register today!
Sign Up!Crafts happening throughout the day!
Ongoing Artist Demonstrations & Artists Selling
All ongoing artist demonstrations will be located in the Jack Guenther Pavilion.
Schedule of activities:
10:00 AM | McNutt Sculpture Garden
Blessing
Join us as we open our annual festival with a spiritual blessing by United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc., a group that works to provide Native American people the opportunity to participate, practice, teach and exchange tribal traditions among all tribes and to enlighten everyone about the history and culture of America’s first inhabitants.
10:00 – 10 15 AM | McNutt Sculpture Garden
Enemy Horse Drumming Performance
A Pow Wow-style drum circle kicks off the day with United San Antonio Pow Wow and Enemy Horse Drumming demonstrating and explaining common Pow Wow dance styles.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Clingman Gallery
Educational Table with Amy Bluemel
A gifted storyteller and educator, Amy Bluemel’s appreciation for cultural awareness came early: raised in a military family, she lived in Germany, Okinawa, Turkey and Scotland before returning to her Chickasaw roots in America. As the great-granddaughter of Eastman Kaney (an original Dawes Commission enrollee), Bluemel is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation and often performs with the dance troupe Chikashsha Hithla during nationwide tours. She shares Chickasaw customs (and those of other southeastern tribes) with audiences of all ages.
10:15 – 11:15 AM | McNutt Sculpture Garden
Pow Wow Dance and Drumming Performance
United San Antonio Pow Wow, Inc. and Enemy Horse Drumming
The intertribal USAPW, Inc. demonstrates and explains common pow wow dance styles: Men’s Fancy Feather, Straight, Traditional, and Grass; and Women’s Jingle, Fancy Shawl, Straight, and Southern Cloth.
11:15 – 11:30 AM | McNutt Sculpture Garden
Enemy Horse Drumming Performace
11:30 AM | Clingman Gallery
Storytelling with Amy Bluemel
12:00 – 1:00 PM | McNutt Sculpture Garden
Contemporary Flute Performance by Ryan LittleEagle
Live music from San Antonio native contemporary flute player Ryan LittleEagle. Of mixed Lakota/Taino and Latino heritage, LittleEagle is a multi-award-winning international performer and musician.
1:00 – 1:45 PM | McNutt Sculpture Garden
Great Promise Dancers Performance
3:00 – 4:00 PM | Clingman Gallery
Educational Table with Amy Bluemel
3:00 – 4:00 PM | Jack Guenther Pavilion – 1st Floor
Contemporary Native Flute Performance by Tim Blueflint Ramel (Bad River Chippewa/Commanche)
Artist, educator, and performer Tim Blueflint draws his creative and musical influence from the memories and stories shared by his family and those who have graced his life. An enrolled member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa, a federally recognized American Indian Tribe, flute player Blueflint Ramel has opened for and shared the stage with Grammy Award Winner Mary Youngblood and a wide variety of artists. He is also an accomplished flute and jewelry maker and will demonstrate his craft throughout the day. As a self-taught musician and artist, Blueflint has shared his improvisational traditional music, art and memories as a featured performer at venues throughout Indian Country and beyond.
Are you interested in helping the Briscoe and being part of our fun events? Join the Briscoe team and volunteer with us! This year’s Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival is almost here and we have some volunteer opportunities to share. You can sign up with Volunteer Match and help make Yanaguana another magical event.
#Yanaguana2023
Our Festival is named in honor of the Payaya people-the earliest recorded inhabitants of the region. Yanaguana was the name they gave to the River. Professional photographers have been hired to document the event; if you do not want your picture taken please alert the museum staff. Also, please be respectful of performers and artists; always ask if you may take their pictures.
Festival visitors can also enjoy FREE admission to the museum and its permanent collection of Western art and artifacts, including exhibitions that highlight the stories of the American Indian, cowboys, pioneering women and others that define the West. The Briscoe’s fall exhibition, Anouk Masson Krantz: “American Cowboys”, shares an intimate look at America’s Western heritage. Nearly 100 images captured on solo journeys across the American West by the celebrated photographer Anouk Masson Krantz highlight the enduring traditions around ranching and rodeo life from an outsider’s perspective.
A French fine-art photographer and author based in New York City best known for her American Western work, Krantz has logged more than 125,000 miles traveling the West by herself in her quest to reveal the authentic daily lives of humble and virtuous American cowboy. Krantz’s photography has received worldwide acclaim, including the 2023 Western Heritage Award for her latest artbook, “Ranchland: Wagonhound”. The exhibition is the largest of Krantz’s work to date and is on view through Jan. 22, 2024.
Pre-register for Yanaguana 2023 today!
Sign Up!
“The American West would not be what it is today without the contributions of Native Americans. The Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival offers the opportunity to see, interact and celebrate with Native American artists and performers – and honor their traditions,” said Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum. “It is an honor to share in their traditions and ensure their storytelling is kept alive for future generations. The performances and art tell a story that’s compelling for all ages, making the event a true family affair.”
Help us bring the spirit of the West alive by becoming a Briscoe Partner!
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Governor Dolph Briscoe and his wife Janey envisioned a Museum that would preserve the stories and traditions of the American West.
