For centuries, the Indigenous people of North America have preserved their histories through art. As more and more Native Americans were displaced by westward-expanding colonialism, art became a vessel for preserving their culture as well as their history. Their daily lives were recorded through paintings, songs, stories, and dances.

Native American art is both functional and beautiful, acting as a bridge to Indigenous cultures and offering a unique perspective on their history. These works enrich the lives of all North Americans, providing a window into the world through Indigenous eyes.

The Blackwing 574 is our tribute to Native American art and the 574 nations that use it to assert agency and identity. We worked with Kaw, Osage, Lakota artist Chris Pappan to design a pencil that evokes geometric patterns found throughout many Native American expressions of culture. Each pencil includes our firm graphite.

A portion of the proceeds from this release will be donated to the Cheyenne River Youth Project and their mission to provide enriching arts programs to Lakota youth on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation.

Bill Russell revolutionized the way basketball was played. A dominant defender and rebounder, he transformed blocking shots into an art form, turning defense into a fast-break weapon. He is one of the most iconic and dominant players in history. He was also a fearless advocate for equality, he was a vocal leader off the court, standing with civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali.

Blackwing Volumes releases are quarterly limited edition products inspired by people, places, and events that have defined Blackwing’s collective culture. Past editions have honored the likes of Bruce Lee, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jerry Garcia, and many others.

Subscribe and you’ll get a 12-pack of each new design for a full year, starting with Volume 11. Each shipment also includes a sealed pencil archive tube for your collection, some subscriber-exclusive goodies and 10% off our website for the duration of your subscription. The Vol. 574 subscription box contains:

- 1 x Vol. 11 Pencils (Set of 12)
- 1 x Vol. 11 Archive Tube Pencil
- 1 x Exclusive Bill Russell Final Game Program

ABOUT BLACKWING

Blackwing pencils were used by award-winning creators throughout the 20th century. Despite a cult following, they fell victim to cost cutting measures in the 1990s and were discontinued, but not forgotten. Analog-minded devotees began paying as much as $40 for a single pencil. Blackwing acquired the brand in 2010 and brought Blackwing back for a growing culture of artists, musicians, and everyday people looking to unplug and live mindfully.

Blackwing Official Website
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