Spark Artist

Beadwork, shellwork & textiles
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Katie is from the Wallowa Band Nez Perce, Cayuse, Umatilla and Karuk tribes. She is a mother and an original Oregonian from Pendleton. Her name—KapKapTsonmi—is a family ancestral name of a woman she is descended from. Raised in her culture, she was introduced into the creative space at a young age through ceremonies, powwows, local cultural art classes and cultural celebrations. The Plateau culture intertwines creativity, bold color, contrast, depth in textiles, nature inspiration and organic sourcing of materials. Her artform is broad and consists of a variety of traditional, wearable and functional pieces including: beaded dresses (buckskin, cloth, wool), cradleboards, knife sheaths, beaded belts, beaded dentalium wedding veils and horse trappings. Historically, looking at a Plateau dress, horse martingale or war bonnet, there were stylistic components that distinguished the identity of the origin tribe it came from. She aspires to preserve and expand the current existence of traditional Plateau pieces in the tribal community. Katie's artistry is present in her work as a published author, Happy Canyon Princess, Pendleton Round Up Princess, American Indian Beauty Pageant Winner, and she is an Oregon Folklife artist. Her work has been featured in National Geographic, Majestic Disorder Magazine, Stetson, and Cowboys & Indians Magazine. She is a culture keeper, educator and cultural instructor via workshops, artist talks and small group instruction. She believes traditional art is a living expression of identity, local history and community. Katie is dedicated to ensuring traditional Plateau artistry remains visible, valued, practiced and carried on for future generations.