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Trickster Gallery Worth the Drive

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Discussion »

SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS - It is 26-miles from the American Indian Center of Chicago to their art gallery, called Trickster Gallery in suburban Schaumburg.

by Andrew Morrison - San Carlos Apache/Haida

It is worth the drive to Schaumburg from Chicago to the Trickster Gallery.

Trickster Gallery is part of the arts department of the American Indian Center of Chicago. Established in March 2005, it is the only American Indian-owned and operated contemporary fine arts institution in the state of Illinois.

The term Trickster in American Indian lore is a imaginary figure that brings life's experience into life lessons. Trickster Gallery takes its name from this figure because the American Indian community welcomes the idea of thought, cultural sharing and interaction for giving lessons of understanding about our contemporary American Indian society.

Joe Yazzie, Diné, who was part of the federal relocation policy came to Chicago 40 years ago. Yazzie greets some guests by name as they enter the gallery. He is an artist and is well versed in American Indian art and culture.

Another staff member, Dave Spencer, Diné and Choctaw, is equally knowledgeable of American Indian art and culture. Spencer is the director of development of Trickster Gallery and is always thinking of new funding sources to fund the gallery.

by Michael Wesley - Constance Lake First Nation

Trickster Gallery is a two-story gallery that currently has two art showings:

Sacred Moments, which are paintings and photography by Michael Wesley, who is a registered band member of Constance Lake First Nation with members of the Ojibway and Cree living on and off the reserve.

Wesley's art depicts a Woodland Style art. His medium is acrylics. Much of his art features animals with black lines which signify the supernatural beings of animals. He uses the color red to symbolize power, sacredness and protection.

Spirited Daughters is the other art showing on exhibit. It features art of the contemporary Native women artists who live in the metropolitan area. On display are charcoal drawings, photography, paintings and even Native-styled clothing. The Spirited Daughters exhibit showcases the vast gifts in talent of the Native women.

Each female artist maintains their own interpretation of their "Indianness" and it is on display here. Since Chicago has many tribes represented among its Native community, the female artists are from numerous tribes, as well.

Besides the featured art exhibits, Trickster Gallery has a variety of art on the main section of the gallery. One notable artist is Andrew Morrison, San Carlos Apache and Haida. Born in Seattle, he once painted graffiti on buildings. He now has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Tufts University. His art is powerful.

There is also a retail outlet where customers can purchase handmade Indian jewelry, books, DVDs and other Native items.

"We want people to know we have art from the Southwest; people don't have to go there to buy it," commented Yazzie.

Trickster Galley is worth the drive out to Schaumburg.

updated September 7, 2011 10:50 am edt; posted September 3, 2011 7:59 am edt