Travois First Fridays: What we’ve seen and what’s ahead

As a way to highlight the strength and modern-day vitality of North American Indigenous artists, Travois launched our visual art exhibition series in March 2018 with Chris T. Cornelius (Oneida Nation), the first of nine artists our jury selected to show artwork.

Fast-forward to 2019, and we’re concluding the first round with our ninth artist, Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation/Cherokee), at our March 1, 2019, opening. I’ve been lucky to have already spent time with Holly at the directors opening for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s exhibition, “Art for a New Understanding: Native Voices 1950s to Now.” Holly’s work is on exhibition there. She is an amazing contemporary multimedia artist who works in a variety of media including bronzes, encaustic, photography, glass and clay.

Holly (pictured above) attended college locally, graduating from the Kansas City Art Institute with a B.F.A. in Ceramics. Holly continued her education at Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas, and earned a Master of Arts in Ceramics in 1994 and her Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture in 2001. Now, she lives and works in Mustang, OK, and we’re so glad Holly will be joining us in Kansas City for the opening.

But you don’t have to wait until March for more art opportunities. I have important opportunities to share!

1. On Friday, Feb. 1, we’re hosting a special Travois First Fridays featuring our friend, Juan “Jazzman” Houston, and his curated collection of jazz art. 

Juan (pictured above) has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant and as owner of Protective Level Security Services. Juan was recently featured on KCUR public radio for his jazz art collection and its exhibition at the Garrison School Cultural Center. For Travois First Fridays, the exhibition will feature 2D and 3D works focused on jazz. Join us from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Read more here and register for event perks.

2. As a reminder, our second Call for Artists is open through Thursday, Jan. 31!

Our jury will select up to six visual artists for our exhibition series for 2019 First Friday receptions on: May 3, 2019; June 7, 2019; Aug. 2, 2019; Sept. 6, 2019; Oct. 4, 2019; and Nov. 1, 2019.

The exhibition call is open to North American Indigenous artists — from the United States (American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians); Canada (First Nations people, Inuit, Métis or citizens of a Canadian-recognized tribe); and Mexico (Indigenous people of Mexico). Established and emerging artists are encouraged to participate. Artists working in 2D and 3D works are eligible. Each applying artist is asked to submit between 12 and 20 artworks for the jury’s consideration. The fee to apply is $15. Apply here: https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=6131  

We’re extremely pleased and fortunate that all our jurors from the first round are returning. We’ve also welcomed Jami Powell (Osage Nation), associate curator of Native American art at Dartmouth College’s Hood Museum of Art. We’re thrilled Jami’s joining us and look forward to the juror’s selections in mid-February.

3. Congratulations again to our first round artists and thank you for participating! Read all about them here.

Dec. 7, 2018 – “ME” by Nelda Schrupp (Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation)
Nov. 2, 2018 – “Kéyah (Land)” by Dakota Mace (Diné)
Oct. 5, 2018 – “Remedy/Reconcile/Rebuild” by Luanne Redeye (Seneca Nation of Indians and Hawk Clan)
Sept. 7, 2018 – “ᎠᏍᎦᏯ ᎦᏅᎯᏓ (Long Men): the native streams and rivers of the land” by Joseph Erb (Cherokee)
Aug. 3, 2018 – “A Fanciful Escapade” by Gina Herrera (Pueblo of Tesuque)
June 1, 2018 – “Life Is Breaktaking” by Cannupa Hanska Luger (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota)
May 4, 2018 – “Rituals” by Porfirio Gutiérrez (Zapotec)
March 2, 2018 – “Domiciles” by Chris T. Cornelius (Oneida Nation)