"River as Home" American Indian Art Exhibition to Open in Late January

Native News Network Staff in Entertainment. Discussion »

EUREKA, CALIFORNIA – For the first time in its history, the Morris Graves Museum of Art in Eureka will feature all local Native American art throughout the entire building. The "River As Home" show is being curated by Bob Benson, who is of Tsenungwe Native ancestry.

"Skwolo-lem-ku Ney Puey" by Lyn Risling (Karuk, Yurok, Hupa)
will be featured in the exhibit.

“This exhibit represents the visual pulse of Native artists from the Klamath River and surrounding river systems. It is a comprehensive look at the spiritual and physical place through the world view of this area’s original peoples,”

says Benson, who is Professor Emeritus of Art at College of the Redwoods, where he taught from 1973 to 2007.

The grand opening of the exhibit will occur on Saturday, February 2 during the local Arts Alive! from 6:00-9:00 pm, though the exhibition opens on January 30. The exhibit runs through March 24. Native artists from the Wiyot, Yurok, Hupa, Tsenungwe, Karuk, and Tolowa cultures will be included in this exhibition. The show will feature new art by many prominent artists such as Brian Tripp, George Blake, Deborah McConnell, Karen Noble, Lyn Risling, as well as Dr. Bob Benson.

The Morris Graves Museum of Art, located at 636 F Street, Eureka is open to the public noon-5:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is always free for everyone during each First Saturday Arts Alive!, 6:00-9:00 pm.

Museum admission is by donation: $4 for adults, $1 for seniors age 55 and older; HAC Members and children (age 12 and under) are admitted free.

The Native Cultures Fund is a program of Humboldt Area Foundation that supports Native American arts and culture throughout most of California. Vera Vietor brought Humboldt Area Foundation to life in 1972.

Vera's charitable spirit and commitment to our community has been echoed by thousands of our neighbors, whose gifts are working to educate, inspire, provide food and shelter, care for animals, protect our environment and provide leadership and problem solving to our region. Humboldt Area Foundation has given nearly $60 million in grants and scholarships and grown to over $78 million in total assets.

posted December 27, 2012 6:00 am est