Home / Arts and Entertainment / Art Transforms Reservation: RedCan Festival Ignites Creativity
Art Transforms Reservation: RedCan Festival Ignites Creativity
9 Jun
Summary
- Annual RedCan Invitational Graffiti Jam spans four days in July.
- Eleven national graffiti artists collaborate with youth and elders.
- Festival celebrates Lakota culture, language, and community pride.
The Cheyenne River Youth Project is preparing to host its 12th Annual RedCan Invitational Graffiti Jam from July 8-11, 2026. This four-day festival on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation will feature 11 renowned graffiti and street artists creating large-scale murals rooted in Lakota culture and history. Artists will paint across Eagle Butte on July 8-9, transforming public spaces with imagery and Lakota language.
The event will move to the Waniyetu Wowapi (Winter Count) Art Park on July 10-11, where all featured artists will paint. Festival-goers can also enjoy activities like skateboard painting, hoop dancing, and spoken-word performances. Youth interns and Lakota Art Fellows will work alongside artists, gaining valuable experience and confidence.
This year's RedCan will also showcase performances by artists like Murs and Bazille, alongside hoop dancing workshops and spoken-word poetry sessions led by Taté Walker. The festival's impact extends beyond art, fostering connections to Lakota language, culture, and community pride, with over 90 percent of youth participants reporting increased cultural pride.
