Painted Tipis of the Blackfeet Nation
EXHIBITION
Painted Tipis of the Blackfeet Nation
On display February 16 – May 5, 2024
This exhibition explores the rich history and art of Blackfeet painted lodges, or tipis. Blackfeet artists Victor Pepion and Cecile Last Star (Black Boy) created paintings depicting dozens of traditional painted tipis during the 1930’s -1940’s. Cecile Black Boy collected and transcribed the traditional stories of many Blackfeet painted tipis as part the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Writers’ Project. Both the original paintings and the manuscripts are now held in the collection of the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning, MT.
Presenting the vibrant and detailed paintings side by side with the stories full of traditional indigenous knowledge allows the public to appreciate the complex and deeply rooted meaning behind these traditions. The exhibition seeks to cultivate a deep respect and appreciation for the work of talented artists and culture bearers who have continued this tradition for centuries.
The Journey Museum and Learning Center is home to the Sioux Indian Museum, operated by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board. The Sioux Indian Museum displays an extensive array of historic clothing plus horse gear, weapons, household implements, cradleboards, and toys. A series of promotional sales exhibitions introduce unsurpassed contemporary Sioux Indian arts and crafts by emerging artist. The museum was founded in 1939 through the cooperation of the Federal and Rapid City governments.
Connections: Past, Present, and Future
Nathaniel Ruleaux
EXHIBITION
Connections: Past, Present, and Future
Nathaniel Ruleaux
On display December 2, 2023 – March 24, 2024
The Sioux Indian Museum, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, announces the opening of a new exhibition, Connections: Past Present, and Future, showcasing the artwork of Nathaniel Ruleaux. The exhibition will run from December 2, 2023, through March 24, 2024. On December 2, an opening reception will be held for the exhibit from 2pm to 4pm The artist will be available to discuss his work during the reception. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.
Nathaniel Ruleaux, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is an award-winning multi-media artist who works primarily in acrylic, oil, watercolor and pastel paints. Nathaniel, who currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska, holds a B.A. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a MFA from the University of Houston. He describes himself as a visual artist, facilitator, organizer, and culture worker. In addition to his two-dimensional paintings, he also creates three-dimensional work such as sculptures and ceramics. Nathaniel has also experimented in his career with making woodblock, lino-block and screen prints of his original artwork along with creating drawings in ink, pencil, and silverpoint.
Nathaniel has been creating artwork most of his life, but only became a professional visual artist in 2019. His work focuses on his family and their histories, the beauty of natural world, Native American sovereignty, political action, and education. Nathaniel credits his grandfather Donald D. Ruleaux, an Oglala Lakota artist belonging to the Lakota Dream Catchers Guild, as his primary mentor and inspiration. He and his grandfather both incorporate bison in their artworks as the symbol of the Lakota spirit.
His unique combination of modern aesthetics with traditional Native American imagery has earned Nathaniel several awards including Best Three-Dimensional Work at the Red Cloud Indian Art Show, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and the Omaha Entertainment & Arts Award for Most Outstanding Group Show, along with grants from the Union for Contemporary Art/Andy Warhol Foundation. His work has also been included in the exhibitions and collections of the Red Cloud Heritage Center and Akta Lakota Museum.
Prices for the artwork can be obtained by contacting the Journey Museum at (605) 394-6923. Purchase inquiries after the closing of the exhibition can be directed to the artist at www.nathanielruleaux.com or through IG @nathanielruleaux
The Sioux Indian Museum, managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, is located in The Journey Museum, 222 New York Street, Rapid City, SD 57701. For admission fees and hours of operation please visit https://www.doi.gov/iacb/our-museums/sioux or call (605) 394-6923.