49th Annual Red Cloud Indian Art Show to Feature Original Works by North American Native Artists
posted May 23, 2017
Each summer, for nearly half a century, the Red Cloud Indian Art Show has celebrated the work of Native artists from tribes across North America. As the only show of its kind held on a reservation, it has emerged as one of the largest and most unique Native art exhibitions in the country. On June 4, The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School will open its gallery doors for the 49th Red Cloud Indian Art Show—and welcome visitors from the local community and around the world.
“It’s been almost 50 years, but the show’s mission is still the same: to highlight the work of local and national Native artists and to share their incredible talent with world,” said Mary Maxon, director of The Heritage Center. “We are so proud to have helped launch the careers of so many working artists, from right here on the Pine Ridge Reservation and from other tribal communities across the country. We’re looking forward to creating more opportunities for Native artists to share their work—for many more years to come.”
Open seven days a week until August 13, this year’s Red Cloud Indian Art Show will feature new works by more than 60 Native artists. Over $7000 in prizes will be awarded in 24 different categories, from traditional and cultural pieces to contemporary painting, drawing, and sculpture.
The Heritage Center’s curator Ashley Pourier (Oglala Lakota), a graduate of Red Cloud Indian School, is looking forward to showcasing the work of both established and emerging Native artists in this year’s show.
“It’s always wonderful to see the work of incredibly well-known Native artists, like Donald Montileaux and Dwayne Wilcox, alongside art created by emerging Native artists who are just getting started,” said Pourier. “This show has supported generations of artists, at all stages of their careers—from long-standing professionals to those who are showing their work in a gallery for the first time. We hope that seeing the show sparks new interest in the amazing range of Native art in this country—and that it helps inspire a new generation of Native artists as well.”
The Red Cloud Indian Art Show opens on June 4 and runs until August 13, 2017. It is free and open to the public seven days a week, with free daily tours offered of the gallery as well as Red Cloud’s historic grounds. For more information, visit www.redcloudschool.org/artshow or contact The Heritage Center at 605-867-8257.
Photos © Red Cloud Indian School