Alanna Cronk makes seagrass skirts for her community. Photo courtesy of the organization.
The Fund for Resource Conservation, under the umbrella of the Ventura County Resource Conservation District, serves as an administrator for traditional Chumash art forms in Ventura County. Their focus is on land conservation and resource preservation, recognizing art as a tool for cultural preservation and connection to the land. Through partnerships and financial support, the organization aims to facilitate continued land stewardship, community building, and cultural preservation among Indigenous communities, such as textile weaving and flint work practiced by Chumash bands such as the Barbareño/Ventureño in Ventura County.
Sparking the Flint and Weaving With the Land: Chumash Material Arts
Funding will support three artforms of the Chumash, the Barbareño/Ventureño band in particular: weaving, cordage, and flintwork.
Chumash elder Matthew Vestuto and young weaver Alanna Cronk work together to start the first strands of a skirt. Photo courtesy of the organization.
Finished dogbane cordage will help to bind materials and further build the structure of the cradleboard. Photo courtesy of the organization.
Bent and cured tule (ohok in Chumash) builds a strong foundation for the cradleboard so that babies can be carried safely. Photo courtesy of the organization.
Every gift is a commitment to a culture bearer, and the people of California.
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