In May, former Mesa Verde National Park Artist in Residence Jill Haley's third National Park recording Mesa Verde Soundscapes won an award for "Best Piano Album with Instrumentation" at the Annual Zone Music Reporter event in New Orleans. The Zone Music Reporter tracks the airplay and programming of instrumental, ambient and new age music on radio stations and music services throughout the world. The voting panel was made up of radio programmers that work at these types of stations. The compositions on this recording were all inspired by Jill's 2013 Mesa Verde residency that was hosted by Mesa Verde National Park and the Mesa Verde Museum Association (MVMA).

The Four Corners Lecture Series continues this summer. This year's theme is "It's About Time," with several of the lectures focusing on the 25th anniversary of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a landmark piece of legislation. We hope you'll join us for all of these free programs! The full lecture series schedule can be found here.

Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5, 11:00 a.m., noon, 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., MVNP Visitor and Research Center: The Lomayestewa Family of Shungopovi Village, Second Mesa, AZ will perform traditional Hopi dances.

Sunday, July 5, 7:00 p.m., Cortez Cultural Center dance plaza: The Lomayestewa Family will perform traditional Hopi dances.

Saturday, July 11, 2:00 p.m., Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding, UT: Fred Blackburn will speak on the topic of "Yucca House/Snider's Well: The Case of a Different Cradleboard."

Thursday, July 23, 7:00 p.m., Sunflower Theatre in Cortez: Kathleen Fine-Dare will discuss "NAGPRA+25: Where Do We Stand, and Where Are We Going?" (This program is co-hosted by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and the Mesa Verde Foundation.)

Thurday, July 30, 7:00 p.m., Far View Lodge at MVNP: ranger Lara Lloyd will speak about "Race, Science, and Burials: The Impacts of NAGPRA on Mesa Verde."

This lecture series is generously sponsored by Mesa Verde Foundation, Mesa Verde Museum Association, and Mesa Verde National Park, as well as the Anasazi Heritage Center, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations, Bureau of Land Management, Cortez Cultural Center, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, Fort Lewis College Office of the President, Department of Anthropology, and Center of Southwest Studies, Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society, KSJD Dryland Community Radio and the Sunflower Theatre, and the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance.  

The Mancos Valley, which lies at the foot of Mesa Verde National Park, is home to about two hundred artists and artisans. Many of these artists have combined their talents to establish the Mancos School of the West. Students will have the opportunity to learn right in an artist's studio. Immerse yourself in painting among a watercolorist's brushes, palettes and paints. Study blacksmithing in a blacksmith's shop, among coal forges, gas forges, power hammers and anvils. This special environment will add to students' appreciation and enjoyment of their creative experience. Other classes will be held outdoors in the beautiful Mancos Valley, surrounded by mountains, forests, streams; all within view of Mesa Verde National Park.

Whatever your interest, with the Mancos School of the West you will enjoy workshops in creative settings, taught by skilled and experienced artisans. Don't miss out--sign up for a class today!

Upcoming offerings include:

July 11 and July 18: Shibori Dyeing with Shar Short

July 18: Wire Wrapped Pendants with Carol van der Harten

July 19: How to Silk Batik a Scarf with Dian Law

For a full list of classes and more information, please visit www.schoolofthewest.org

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