On Friday, January 14 at 6pm, Jeremy Dennis, artist and member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, will present a screening of the short documentary Ma’s House, named for the artist residency he founded on the Reservation, followed by a conversation and postcard writing workshop. The program, focused on the Shinnecock Hills and its significance to the Shinnecock people, will be in-person in the Lichtenstein Theater. Advance ticket purchase with pre-event registration is recommended. Limited tickets will be available at the door. All sales are final, non-transferable, and non-refundable.
In June 2020, Dennis and his family began to renovate his grandmother’s house on the Reservation, and to build the BIPOC Art Studio. His intention was to provide a safe space for free creativity and healing for artists who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and bring together those who uphold equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion through arts and culture. In the documentary Ma’s House, presented as part of the ALL ARTS ongoing initiative The First Twenty, Dennis discusses the project and explores the challenges he and his family encountered throughout the process.
Following the screening, the artist will give a brief history of Shinnecock Hills followed by a Q&A. Guests are then invited to participate in a workshop with Dennis to design postcards advocating for a building moratorium in Shinnecock Hills. Materials will be provided.
Jeremy Dennis states: “The Shinnecock Hills are a sacred landscape for the Shinnecock People. Ancestors, dating back over 3,000 years, are buried here. In 1859, Southampton Town stole the Shinnecock Hills using lies, deceit, and forged signatures. The Shinnecock Nation pursued and received Federal Recognition to regain these lands with the help of New York State but have yet to receive support from any NYS Governor who has held office since 2010.”
For more info, visit www.parrishart.org
