The Heritage Center Opens Student Art Gallery

posted on March 28, 2014 

Each morning during their art class over the last several weeks, Red Cloud juniors and seniors have made the trek across campus to The Heritage Center, the renowned Native art gallery. They filed into an empty, small room down the hall from the gallery and gift shop. Until recently, the walls were blank and white, but Brandie Macdonald, The Heritage Center’s museum educator, has been working with students, staff and teachers to change all that.

This week, the students finally unveiled The Heritage Center's new Student Art Gallery and, with it, an inaugural exhibition of their work. Three dimensional wire sculptures now hang from the ceiling, plaster masks sit centered on pedestals and mixed-medium paintings hang on the walls evoking Lakota history and cultural empowerment.

"The students were involved in every process along the way," said Brandie. "The idea was to give them a new perspective on the art world. They developed a theme, presented it to the Center's director, and once approved, they set to work creating pieces of art on that theme. Last week they joined the Center's collections manager and I to set, hang, and organize the gallery while learning about curation and gallery aesthetic in the process."

The 'Gallery of Superheros'—the theme chosen by the students—will be open to the public from March 24th to April 8th from Tuesday through Friday, 10:00am to 4:30pm.

Photos from the Gallery Opening

The student-artists were on hand to discuss their work and their process with fellow classmates, teachers and staff while enjoying light refreshments.

"I'm nervous, but also excited for people to see my art," said Jorgana McBride, 17, a junior at Red Cloud whose piece is in the exhibition. "I really like to express myself through sculpting and many of my classmates and I have created pieces that addresses what it means to be Lakota. I think having others see our work will allow them to put themselves in our shoes."

“We wanted to show students a different side of the art industry,” said Brandie. “Creating the work is one thing, but understanding what it takes to present that work to others empowers students to tell their own story in their own way.”

Learn more about The Heritage Center's Educational Program

All Content, ©Red Cloud Indian School, 2014