Assistant to the Secretary for Indian Affairs Marvin L. Franklin announced today that the first exhibition of art at the John F. Kennedy Center will be a showing of works by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Scheduled to open at the Kennedy Center on April 1, 1973, the multi-media show will feature several of the best known American Indian artists, working in sculpture, painting, graphics, ceramics, jewelry, costumes and poetry.
Artists are: Donna Whitewing Vandall, John Vandall, Bill Prokopiof, Cal Rollins, Juan Chavarria, Roberta Watts, Jim McGrath, Paul Masters, Milliard Holbrook, Ramoncita Sandoval, Seymour Tubis, Lloyd New, Otellie Lioma, Don Whitesinger, John Boyland, Douglas Hyde, Ralph Pardington, Dave Schwindt, Herb Gilbert, Dominick Laducer, Alan Houser, Kay Wiest, Eldred Poisal, Bob Harcourt, John Kindred, Henry Cobin, George Fredericks, Chuck Dailey, and Bruce Ignacio.
The show will bring the work of many of these artists to Washington for the first time, and will provide a serious look at the full spectrum of Native American art. Thirty-four artists will exhibit more than 150 individual pieces during the 22 day show. Sponsors are: U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, James E. Hawkins, Director Education Programs BIA; Mrs. Elizabeth K. Hart, Cherokee Studios, Alexandria, Va.; Charles Daley, Museum Director, I.A.I.A.; and Lloyd New, Director of I.A.I.A.
During its ten years of existence, the Institute of American Indian Arts has produced world famous artists such as Fritz Sholder and Lloyd Kiva New. The school has a student body of some 300 Indians from 80 tribes, and has as its stated purpose the idea that "unique cultural traditions can be honored and used creatively as a springboard to a meaningful and productive contemporary life." The result is art that combines international sophistication with the overwhelming influences of the American Indian culture.
