Travois First Fridays

Friday, Sept. 7 featuring Joseph Erb (Cherokee) | “ᎠᏍᎦᏯ ᎦᏅᎯᏓ (Long Men): the native streams and rivers of the land”

6-8 p.m.: Exhibition open to the public
6:30 p.m.: Artist talk

Travois supports American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities and tribes in achieving their vision for economic and community development. Over 23 years, Travois has secured $1.3 billion dollars for affordable housing, education, health services, water infrastructure, and climate adaptation in Indian Country.

Art is a vibrant contributor to Native economies and a culture bearer for Native people. Travois is expanding our service area to highlight the strength and modern-day vitality of Native artists and to stimulate art purchases and commissions within one of the nation’s leading art scenes: Kansas City.

Joseph Erb (Cherokee) is a computer animator, film producer, educator, language technologist and artist. Erb described his work in his artist statement: “The purpose of my research and creative production is to advance the Cherokee culture and language. Social justice and activism is the base philosophy of my interdisciplinary work. Indigenous people face some of the worst disparities in the country in education, health and environmental safety. Art, music and cultural expression have always been positive ways that Indigenous people have persevered. However, Indigenous art has been stereotyped, commodified, and at times stolen from the first communities in which they were born. I believe my role is to provide creative venues for my community members to take back ownership of their stories and express them in ways that are meaningful to them. This includes sharing stories in new ways so that children and grandchildren can have access to them in the future.”

Erb holds a BFA from Oklahoma City University and an MFA from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an assistant professor in the Digital Storytelling Program and Department of Art at the University of Missouri. He works in the fields of 2-D and 3-D animation; digital storytelling; fine art — painting, metal and textiles; Native American and Indigenous studies; Cherokee language technology and Cherokee studies.

Erb’s exhibition explores themes concerning the intersection between culture and water and celebrating the stories and struggles of the water, and it will feature three sets of sculptural works, hung or mounted, and digital animation shown in three short movies. The movies last from 4 minutes to 8 minutes, and two feature Cherokee language with English subtitles. Learn more on his website and Instagram.

Preregister and receive two drink tickets at the event (21+). All ages are welcome to attend the event.

After 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, please register at the door upon your arrival. 

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