Artrain USA

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Sponsored locally by the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum, Artrain USA is presently making a stop in Oklahoma City at the Santa Fe Depot and Amtrak facilities in downtown Oklahoma City. The exhibits are free to see and are on display until November 28 ... but it opens again at Norman on November 30.

I'd originally said that the local press didn't cover this event as far as I knew ... but I've now noticed, after the fact (this edited note is written 11/29/07), that an Oklahoman article did appear in the Sunday, November 18, edition. Shoshana Wasserman, reflecting on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and its origins rooted in American history, Euros and Natives alike, had this to say:

With such rich history associated with the holiday and with Oklahoma being home to more tribes than any other state, what better way to celebrate than by attending a contemporary expression of American Indian culture?
* * *
"Native Views,” recently designated an American Masterpiece by the National Endowment for the Arts, is a contemporary American Indian art exhibition touring coast to coast onboard Artrain USA. "Native Views: Influence of Modern Culture” explores the many commonalties native and non-native people share.

Visitors discover the richness, complexity and breadth of contemporary American Indian art while examining varying perspectives on society. Guest curator Joanna Bigfeather (Western Cherokee and Mescalero Apache) redefines native art by broadening the limits and confronting the stereotypes that currently define it. Featured among the 70 artworks by 53 renowned American Indian artists are works by Steven Yazzie (Navajo) and Alex Jacobs (Akwessasne Mohawk).

Several artists featured are Oklahomans or have historical relationships with Oklahoma, including Norman Akers (Osage), Marcus Amerman (Choctaw), Barry Coffin (Potawatomi and Muscogee Creek), Douglas Coffin (Potawatomi and Muscogee Creek), Anita Fileds (Osage), Jesse T Humingbird (Cherokee), Linda Lomahaftewa (Hopi and Choctaw), Anita Fields (Osage), Kay Walkingstick (Cherokee), Richard Ray Whitman (Euchee, Muscogee Creek Nation) and Phil Young (Cherokee, Scottish and Irish).

In January, Artrain USA, America's Hometown Art Museum, was awarded the National Award for Museum and Library Service, the federal government's highest honor for community service provided by a museum or library.

Although I and maybe you missed that article, I didn't miss the event since I tagged along with my wife who did know which is, of course, the "way of wives!" So, have a look at this fine event which includes a rare (for me, anyway) look inside the Santa Fe Station! According to Artrain's website,

Artrain USA is currently showcasing Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture, a contemporary Native American art exhibition. Comprised of 71 artworks by 54 Native American artists, Native Views explores the influence of popular culture and the many commonalties shared by all Americans.

See the AICCM website for additional detail about times, images & videos.

On display since November 25, a reception occurred last night, November 26, and these images show much of what I saw. So, now, enjoy the tour! Click on any image for a larger view.

Outside Santa Fe Depot Looking Up & East



Last Night's Reception in Santa Fe Station
Hosted by the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum

Looking Northeast





Looking East











Looking West



Local Artist Richard Ray Whitman, Yuchi, and his children
(also see this Indian Country article and his art in the train, below)



Mary Jo Watson & Renowned Artist Kelly Haney
Mr. Haney's work includes "The Guardian" atop the Capitol Dome
and he is presently the Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation



Hardworking Volunteers Helped Everything Be "Just So!"





Through the Connection to the Amtrak Tracks



Looking North Along the Train



Just Walking Through the Train and Gawking Around



Harry Fonseca's
Rose and Coyote Dressed Up For the Heard Show



Manuelito Wheeler's I Sense Something



Gotcha, Janie!



Diego Romero's White Corn Mother
(or What's That Woman Doin' In That Bowl Down There?)



Mateo Romero's Route 66





James Lavadour's New Blood



Richard Ray Whitman's Genetic Memory



Judith A. Lowry's Road Kill Warrior: Last of His Tribe



Jason Lujan's Surrounded by Thieves and
Phil Young's Glen Canyon Desecrations, #2



Alex Jacob's Kanienkehake Warriors: People of the Flint



Anita Fields' Moving Among the Elements of the Earth



James Luna's High Tech Peace Pipe
(or A Smoke-A-Phone!)



Stephen Wall's Code-Writer





A Gift Shop At Train's End




Betty Price (below, center)



And A Great Time Was Had By All!
Mary Jo Watson, Sherry Sullivan & Blue Clark


That's it! The free tour ends on the 28th, I think, but resumes in Norman on November 30.

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