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February 25, 2010

BFA Graduates Make a Splash with New Exhibit

Contact:
Guin White, 505.428.5909 (ph)
membership@iaia.edu

SPLASH, the Institute of American Indian Arts’ (IAIA) 2010 BFA Exhibition opens March 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in downtown Santa Fe (108 Cathedral Place). The exhibit continues until May 13 and will close with a reception from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. that same day.

Guest curated by Sherry Farrell Racette, a 2009-2010 scholar at the School for Advanced Research, this exhibit highlights the work of students receiving their bachelor of fine arts degrees from IAIA, including that of Kit Julianto, Sarah Ferber, Toneh Chuleewah, Amber Johnson, Dwayne Manuel, Elizabeth Smith, Joanne Morales, Meagan Begay, Taylor Hurley and Natasha Wagner.

Farrell Racette says that SPLASH announces the arrival emerging artists from the Institute of American Indian Arts. “Graduation from art school is a critical transition for emerging artists who shift from a supportive environment with access to technology and facilities to a tough, competitive milieu where each must rely on their own resources. As I listened to the students discuss their work at the senior painting critiques last December, the words of a Cree elder popped into my head. He used the metaphor of ‘throwing the bear cub into the water’ to discuss the transitions we are thrown into, the leaps of faith we must make if we are to leave places of comfort to take our place in a larger world.” According to Farrell Racette, the show title also refers to the style of work included. “These artists splash paint, use bold color choices and construct imaginary worlds with fastidious detail.”

Curator Sherry Farrell Racette (Timiskaming First Nation) holds a BFA from the University of Manitoba, a MED in curriculum and instruction from the University of Regina and an interdisciplinary PhD in Native studies, anthropology and history from the University of Manitoba. Her works are in a number of public collections including the Saskatchewan Arts Board, MacKenzie Art Gallery and the Canada Council's Art Bank. She has worked extensively in museum collections, examining material culture as encoded objects that carry history, story and knowledge. Her particular interest is in revitalizing traditional art forms, and increasing the recognition and appreciation of contemporary traditional artists and their practice.

For more information about the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, a center of the Institute of American Indian Arts, please visit www.iaiamuseum.org.

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The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts’ Mission
A leader in the acquisition and presentation of contemporary Native arts, the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts advances scholarship, discourse and understanding through its innovative exhibitions, programs and dialog.

About the Museum
A center of the Institute of American Indian Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is home to the largest collection of contemporary Native art in the world. A premier shopping destination, the Museum’s store offers the finest selection of contemporary Native arts and gifts from both emerging and established artists. The Museum is a center of the Institute of American Indian Arts.

Museum hours are Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday: noon to 5 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays from November through May as well as major holidays. Adult admission is $5; senior citizens (62 and over), students with valid IDs and residents of NM: $2.50. Admission is free for Native people, Museum members, youth under the age of 16, and NM residents visiting on Sunday.

IAIA’s Mission
To empower creativity and leadership in Native arts and cultures through higher education, lifelong learning and outreach


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