About Lori Reed

I am from the Wolftown Community on the Qualla Boundary.  I have grown up here and am the daughter of William and Frances Reed.  I have 2 daughters, Dayini and Ayosta Lossie.  I also have a granddaughter, L'Ree Aliyena Lossie, who is the sweetest, cutest baby and such a blessing to me.  I enjoy art, basketball and food.  

 

I have attended the Institute of American Indian Arts(IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 1993-1996. I graduated with an Associate of Fine Arts Degree in 2-D and 3-D arts.  I then attended the University of Tennessee(UT) in Knoxville, TN. While attending the UT, I participated in the Study Abroad Program and went to Melbourne, Australia for a semester.  While there, I studied at RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology).  This was an experience that I will always treasure and still can't believe I did.  I graduated with my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Arts in 2000. 

I attended Western Carolina University(WCU) in Cullowhee, NC and graduated with my MAT in Art Education in May, 2017. 

My informal training includes classes with Joel Queen, Betty Maney, Ramona Baith and Lucille Lossiah.  I also learned a lot from my mother, who taught me to bead when I was young.  

 

I have always wanted to be able to work in my own community and hopefully be a positive role model and mentor for our youth.  I believe it is important for our youth to know their culture.  I have the ability to share the arts and crafts part of the culture, along with some of the language.  While it is good to be able to do bead work or make pottery or baskets, I also believe it is important to know the history of these arts, how our ancestors used these items, why and how our traditions and culture have changed, and the importance of carrying this knowledge into the future for the next generation.  Hopefully, this gives students a connection to their own culture and history, which can create strength, pride and a sense of belonging.  It is my pleasure to work with the students of Cherokee High School and get to see their personalities, skills and confidence grow.