Cree artist and storyteller Michael A. Koby Turtleheart with the three styles, top to bottom, Strength, Peace and Freedom.
 

 
Quick Take: AYA Optical is debuting a new collaboration with Cree artist and storyteller Michael A. Koby Turtleheart.
Specifics: This new collaboration is made up of three styles: Strength, Peace and Freedom. All three feature galloping painted horses designed by Turtleheart. This design is a sacred symbol in Native American culture, meant to give strength and power to both the horse and the rider. Strength is a versatile unisex style with a graphical Cree horse head/eagle feather design. It is available in navy and green and features a red horse body that doubles as an abstract eagle feather. Together, they represent strength and are messengers. A blue arrow extends from both, conveying their spiritual life an energy. Pace is a bold cat-eye style featuring a Cree 'Horse in snow' design and is available in purple and teal. The horses in the artwork feature handprints, which were originally placed on horses as a warning to enemies or a mark of protection. The red handprint has now represent the issue of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit in both Canada and the United States. Turtleheart said, “These women are our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, aunties, cousins, friends - to me the red handprint now means ‘Bring Them All Home.’ “Finally, Freedom is a bold unisex style featuring a vibrant blue horse design. Freedom frame is fabricated from handmade acetate and metal. It features two horses running with dust kicked up between them, a portrayal of war ponies that showcases the freedom they realize when their riders cut them free. Turtleheart said, “Focusing on horses was easy for me, wild horses, spotted horses, and the painted horses of my ancestors fill my dreams. Horses connect us to the land, and symbolize freedom of movement across the plains. I also wanted to touch on the spiritual connection a horse and rider share.” AYA Optical’s creator Carla D’Angelo said, “AYA for me, is my contribution to reconciliation, looking to the past and the present to create new dialogue for both Indigenous people and settlers. I really enjoyed working closely with Michael to help bring his vision and stories to life, and then on to the marketplace, where I hope they will continue to start conversations about ways to move forward.”
Selling Point: $10 from the sale of each frame in the Michael A. Koby Turtleheart collection will go toward Agape, a non-profit organization that offers life-changing experiences by bringing people and horses together. Since its founding in 2003, AYA Optical has contributed over $200,000 to various initiatives including helping at-risk kids in Northern communities start their day with a healthy breakfast, scholarship programs for indigenous women and eyewear donations to elders and communities in need.
www.claudiaalan-us.com/aya/optical-frames/