Parfleche Painting Workshop with Danielle SeeWalker

An introductory course led by Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta artist and muralist Danielle Seewalker. During this workshop on the 2nd Floor of the Paradigm Arts Building, attendees will learn about the patterns and techniques used in parfleche painting. At the end of the workshop, attendees will walk away with custom earrings or a keychain made from parfleche (painted rawhide).

No experience is needed. All skill levels are welcome. All materials will be provided.

There will be two sessions for the workshops. We are offering early bird pricing to the first 5 people who sign up for each session.

First Session: Saturday, December 7th · 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Second Session: Saturday, December 7th · 3:00pm – 5:00pm

The name “parfleche” was initially used by French fur traders and derives from the French language parer meaning “to parry” or “to defend”, and flèche meaning “arrow”. “Parfleche” was used to describe tough rawhide shields carried by Plains Indian warriors but was later used primarily for decorated rawhide containers. Plains Indian tribes often had an abundant source of hides in the buffalo they hunted, but, as they were nomadic, they had little opportunity to tan the skins. Parfleche, or rawhide, was prepared by cleaning and dehairing the skin and then by stretching it and allowing it to dry in the sun. This process created a stiff but durable leather that was used for many items, including bags, boxes, envelopes, and war shields. Designs historically consisted of geometric shapes and symbols in primary colors.

Today, many contemporary Plains Indian artists evolved the idea of parfleche by making earrings, bracelets, wallets, etc (examples below).

This event will accompany Danielle SeeWalker’s featured collection, which will be on display throughout the month of December.

About Danielle SeeWalker
Danielle SeeWalker is Húŋkpapȟa Lakȟóta and citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota. She is a fine artist, muralist, writer, activist, and boymom of two, based in Denver, Colorado. Her visual artwork often incorporates the use of mixed media and experimentation while incorporating traditional Native American materials, scenes, and messaging. Her artwork pays homage to her identity as a Lakȟóta wíŋyaŋ (woman) and her passion to redirect the narrative to an accurate and insightful representation of contemporary Native America while still acknowledging historical events.

About Paradigm Gallery + Studio
Paradigm Gallery + Studio® was established in 2010 by co-founders and curators, Jason Chen and Sara McCorriston. The gallery exhibits meaningful, process-intense contemporary artwork by emerging and mid-career artists from around the world. In 2022, Paradigm announced the opening of its new 5-story, 7,000 sq. ft. home, The Paradigm Arts Building, in Old City, Philadelphia. Now open to the public, the building boasts multiple floors of exhibition space, integrated in-house design and printmaking, a dedicated events floor, and art advisory offices. With this, Chen and McCorriston expanded their vision for the greater Philadelphia arts community. The gallery is at the heart of this vision, anchoring Paradigm’s overall mission of increasing access to the commercial art world, supporting artists and advancing their careers, and collaborating with like-minded partners to build a more equitable, sustainable arts economy for all.