The Chumash Casino Resort unveiled six new bronze sculptures during a tour and celebration for tribal members at the newly expanded resort. The tribe commissioned nature and wildlife artist Dan Chen to create the sculptures, which pay tribute to the ancestors of the Santa Ynez Chumash.
“The story of our tribe is one of perseverance, survival, and adaptability,” Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Tribal Chairman Kenneth Kahn said in an official release. “We wanted to see our story captured in sculptures, and I believe Dan Chen has done that beautifully.”
The large bronze sculptures sit in the entryway to the casino. Each piece pays tribute to the way ancient Chumash lived, including depictions of storytelling, basket weaving, food preparation, hunting, and dancing.
“My goal with this project was to transform the vestibule into a welcoming center,” Chen said in the release. “I wanted it to be a gathering place where all who enter will come to know more about the Chumash people—to remember, to reflect, and to celebrate.”
This article appears in May 26 – Jun 2, 2016.
