Aly McKnight
Lynne Hardy
Our program had the honor of hosting two Native American Illustrators in our after-school lab, thanks to a PBS grant we received in October.
Last night, we had the pleasure of welcoming Aly, a renowned Native American artist and illustrator, to speak to our youth. Aly, who is an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, grew up in a small farming community in Northern Nevada. Her vibrant artwork reflects Indigenous stories and is characterized by its vivid colors. Currently based in Utah with her husband Brockton, of Hawaiian/Samoan descent, and their daughter Paoakalani, Aly spends her days painting, designing, and collaborating with the Indigenous creative community. Using watercolor and graphite on paper, she creates stunning paintings that capture the deep connection Indigenous peoples have with all living things.
During her visit, Aly read a children's book titled "Why We Dance," which she both illustrated. The students had the opportunity to admire Aly's beautiful artwork and were encouraged to pursue their own goals. Aly delivered an inspiring presentation and gifted each student a coloring page of her illustration along with a jingle cone.
For more information about Aly and her work, please visit her website.
On Wednesday, we were delighted to host Lynne Hardy, a talented artist from the Dine (Navajo) Tribe. Originally from Grey Mountain, Arizona, Lynne deeply values her culture and the wisdom passed down to her by her parents and grandmother. She sees her artistic abilities as a gift that allows her to share her culture with others. Lynne's artwork, characterized by its modern, bright, and colorful style, seeks to authentically portray Native American people and their stories.
During her visit, Lynne encouraged the students to share their own stories with others and emphasized the importance of pursuing talents and skills that bring them joy. She inspired the students to persevere in the pursuit of their dreams, regardless of the challenges they may face. Lynne showcased her artwork and gifted each student a bookmark featuring one of her illustrations.
To learn more about Lynne and her work, please visit this website.