Running Strong for American Indian Youth® Dreamstarter Creative Diane Sharp (Oglala Lakota), 55, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been making stone jewelry for five years.
“I work with natural stone beads, horse hair, silver, bone, dentalium shells, and hair pipe,” Diane told us in her Dreamstarter Creative grant application.
“I love working with natural materials as I believe they carry healing and peace-inducing elements from creation.”
Her project is to expand her jewelry-making to incorporate additional natural materials in a wider variety of designs, thereby creating a stream of income for her work on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
She is using her $2,500 Dreamstarter Creative grant to purchase supplies of stone beads, silver accompaniments, horsehair and the fastening materials needed to create solid, well-made pieces.
Diane explained that she has worked in suicide prevention and outreach for youth, veterans and their families for almost a decade. She travels to tribal communities around the nation, but the vast majority of her work is on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where she is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
She also noted that she will continue to donate all net proceeds to the suicide prevention work she does in Indian Country, saying, “I will become a more seasoned artist if I can afford high-quality supplies and materials.
“As I can expand into new markets, I will be spreading the word about the need for prevention through purpose in our communities.”
Ultimately, “I hope to use my skill to increase the prevention efforts in tribal communities,” says Diane, adding that she also hopes to become a respected jewelry maker and have her work showcased in additional shops around the country.
“Art is not only therapeutic, but it also allows the artist to communicate their heart through visual media where words fail.
“Art is a protective and promotive factor in building individual and community resilience.
“I hope to create some quality pieces with intricate details, bringing honor to all Native artists.”
