Local artist sponsors art contest
Sho-Ban tribal artist Kira Murillo with some of the entries.
By DANA HERNANDEZ
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — Local artist and nationally known Shoshone-Bannock tattooist Kira Murillo is hosting an art competition for the Fort Hall community. Murillo is more than just an artist, she is a mother who owns her own business, and knows how important it is for people to stay artistically creative, especially during a pandemic.
Murillo said art requires time, patience, and creativity. Art serves as a type of therapy for her, and says it is something that makes her feel good. She said, “The process can be stressful sometimes, but the finished piece is what it’s all about. Seeing clients happy with what they got it’s a good feeling.” Art has influenced Murillo, from the people she gets to meet to the places she gets to go.
The Shoshone-Bannock Annual Festival was canceled this year as well as everything else due to COVID-19, and Murillo said she wanted to give the people something to look forward to. Usually during Festival there is an art show that happens, but due to the collapsing of the roof at the Tribal Business Center, there was no place to host an art show last year. Murillo said, “I didn’t see anything posted about the art contest they usually have, so I just thought I’d start something now.”
Murillo said the art contest could be done yearly just like a powwow, because she knows there is a lot of talent that is not seen within the reservation, and she would like to see more artwork from the community. She also said this could be an opportunity to start an art group if people are interested in doing bigger projects in the future.
So far, Murillo has received 15 entries for her art contest and has recently changed the contest to be open to all mediums of art, like sculpture, beadwork, and anything that takes time and creativity.
“Art is art,” said Murillo.
Also changed was the deadline submission date, which went from August 30 to now September 6. Murillo said she wanted to give the community more time to submit something and hopefully increase participation.
Murillo said she raised money for the prizes of her art contest by raffling off tattoo sessions. She said, “Pretty much anyone that supports my tattoo career has been helping me.” Family, friends, and her apprentices also helped by gathering supplies.
The art contest has a Facebook page, “Fort Hall Art Contest”, and is where information can be found. The contest has split age groups ranging from age 0-18 and over. There are various cash prizes being awarded in each age group, and all participants will receive art supply packages. Artists can message Murillo on Facebook and stop by her Tattoo shop, NDN Time Studios at 1128 N. Main Street during 11-5, Monday-Friday.
Murillo said she would like the community to know that there are people out there who are supportive, you just need to reach out and ask for help. Murillo said, “You can be anything you put your mind and energy into.” She also said, art can take people places regardless if they don’t win art contests.
“I hope everyone enjoys spending time with family and friends during their projects and also takes their mind and spirit away from anything negative and turns it into a positive,” said Murillo.
