“As I was working, I realized a lot of people didn’t know our history, and so as I did my research I thought I would make it available to others, and the best way to do so would be through a book.”The book features different sections which highlight unique elements of Wabanaki art. “The Abenaki tribe was recognized by Vermont three years ago, so many of us are making an effort now to rediscover our cultural traditions and designs,” Kent said. “There’s not much of it around.”According to Kent, the genesis of the book came in 2010 with the recognition of the Abenaki as a tribal band by the state of Vermont. Kent herself is a Native American of the Nulhegan Band of the Abenaki of Vermont, and much of her work features designs specific to the Abenaki.“Trying to find something specific to Abenaki is very hard,” Kent said. “Wabanaki refers to the Wabanaki Confederacy, which is a group of five tribes that not only shared a lot of common cultural elements but also came together to protect their geographic area during times of war.”A renowned tribal artist, Kent is known for her work with gourds: making bowls, rattles, ornaments and decorating them with traditional Wabanaki symbols and designs. The book is the result of Kent’s own extensive research into traditional Wabanaki Art, and is an effort to preserve the rich culture and sacred stories of the Wabanaki people.“The book covers the uses of Wabanaki symbols and designs in the artwork, and it explains some of the more basic ones,” Kent said. By MATTHEW LAMSONSpecial to The Winsted JournalWINSTED - Local artist and author Jeanne Morningstar Kent’s new book, “The Visual Language of the Wabanaki Art,” was published in July by The History Press.
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