Celebrate spring and early summer with these art exhibitions and events around the West and beyond.
Through May 14
Dakota Modern: The Art of Oscar Howe
Tracing Oscar Howe’s career and development from early conventional work through the emergence of his innovative abstract approach to painting, this exhibition introduces new generations to one of the 20th century’s most important Native American painters. It travels to South Dakota Art Museum, Brookings, South Dakota, June 10–September 17. Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon, 503.221.2811, portlandartmuseum.org.
Oscar Howe; Umine Dance; 1958; casein and gouache on paper, mounted to board; 18” x 22”. Garth Greenan Gallery, New York.
Through May 19
Vitality and Continuity: Art in the Experiences of Anishinaabe, Inuit, and Pueblo Women
Rooted in contemporary and historical artworks, this traveling exhibition celebrates some of the critical roles Anishinaabe, Inuit, and Pueblo women fulfill in their families, communities, and the art world, exploring themes like mothering, making, art-world success, spirituality, and continuity in visual culture across generations. It travels to the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum in Saginaw, Michigan, September 22, 2023–January 6, 2024. The Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City, Michigan, 231.995.1055, dennosmuseum.org.
Lois Beardslee; Potty Training on Dixon Island, 2001. Acrylic paint, blue and black ballpoint pen ink, gel pen ink of multiple colors on paper. Photo credit: Bonifas Art Center/Purchased by Ann Stack directly from the artist for Bonifas Art Center's permanent collection.
Through May 21
Morning Light: Photographs of David H. Gibson
Dallas photographer David H. Gibson has been capturing the beauty of the Southwestern landscape for more than 50 years. This exhibition takes visitors to two of his favorite sites: Cypress Creek in Wimberley, Texas, and Eagle Nest Lake, in the mountains east of Taos, New Mexico. Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas, 817.738.1933, cartermuseum.org.
David H. Gibson; Sunrise Moments, Eagle Nest Lake, New Mexico, August 31, 2021, 6:37:48 AM; inkjet print. Photo credit: Courtesy of the artist.
Through May 21
William Herbert “Buck” Dunton: A Mainer Goes West
Clad in a 10-gallon hat, cowboy boots, and chaps, Maine native William Herbert Dunton created paintings of frontiersmen firmly cemented in the historical genre of the American West. Through his works, Dunton, a founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, created a mythology of the West, focusing on the romantic geographic and cultural Southwest landscapes. Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, New Mexico, 575.758.9826, harwoodmuseum.org.
William Herbert Dunton, My Children, 1920, oil on canvas, 50” x 60”. Collection of Museum of New Mexico. Gift of a friend, 1927 (351.23P). Photo credit: Blair Clark.
Through May 31
Hopi Quilts
The craft of quilting was introduced to Hopi in the latter half of the 19th century. From its initial adoption by the Hopi, quilting became an important craft. This exhibition features work by 11 contemporary Hopi artists. Hand-painted designs appear on many of the quilt blocks. Amerind Museum, Dragoon, Arizona, 520.586.3666, amerind.org.
Bonnie Nampeyo, Butterfly Maiden-Palikmana, 2020, cotton fabric with paint, 26” x 28.5”. Courtesy of the Amerind permanent collection.
Through May 28
Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery
Curated by the Native American communities it represents, this traveling exhibition features more than 100 historic and contemporary works in clay and offers a visionary understanding of Pueblo pots as vessels of community-based knowledge and personal experience. It is on view in New York City at the Metropolitan Art Museum, June 23, 2023–June 24, 2024. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Santa Fe, 505.476.1269, miaclab.org.
Through July 2
Nampeyo and the Sikyátki Revival
This installation of 32 pots celebrating the artistic ingenuity of famed Tewa-Hopi potter Nampeyo (ca. 1860–1942) is juxtaposed with examples of Hopi pottery from her time. de Young Museum, San Francisco, 415.750.3600, deyoung.famsf.org.
Through July 3
Contemporary Native Art 101
A visual review of contemporary Native art from 1875 to today, this exhibition focuses on its developments in painting, sculpture, prints, installations, and other multimedia. Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, 317.636.9378, eiteljorg.org.
Through July 23
Ansel Adams in our Time
See more than a 100 photographic masterworks by Ansel Adams alongside the world of 23 contemporary photographers who reflect his influence. The show includes some of Adams’ most famous works, including an image of Yosemite’s Half Dome under the moon. de Young Museum, San Francisco, 415.750.3600, famsf.org.
May 26 – 28
Texas Masters of Fine Art and Craft Invitational Exhibition
Returning with its treasure trove of superb quality jewelry, pottery, painting, drawing, sculpture, weaving, furniture, rock art, and more, this group show of award-winning Texas master artists and craftspeople celebrates its 20th anniversary at this location. Y.O. Ranch Resort Hotel, Kerrville, Texas, 469.223.4162, texasmasters.com.
Manuel S. Franco, Pueblo Artistry, watercolor, 20” x 25”. Courtesy of the artist.
May 27 – 28
Native Treasures: A MIAC Art Market
This annual event presents artwork from more than 200 juried Native American artists, in a wide range of art forms from traditional to contemporary and honors its 2023 Living Treasure, jeweler Anthony Lovato (Santo Domingo Pueblo). Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Santa Fe, 505.476.1269, miaclab.org.
May 27 – 29
Western Art Show & Sale
A longstanding Memorial Day weekend tradition, this annual event features artwork by outstanding Western artists in a wide variety of mediums. A miniature masterpiece show and sale, plus an artist award ceremony on Sunday, are among the special events. Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona, 928.778.1385, phippenartmuseum.org.
June 1 – 3
Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival
This celebration of Native art and culture features an art market offering artistic creations by some of America’s most celebrated Native artists as well as artist demonstrations and competitions, hands-on arts and craft stations, live music, and special dance performances. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, 405.427.5228, redearth.org/pages/upcoming-festival.
June 9 – 10
Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale
With works by some of today’s finest Western artists on exhibit June 2 – August 6 and art sale weekend June 9 – 10, the show includes works ranging from historical subject matter to more contemporary and impressionistic expressions of the West. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, 405.478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org.
June 10 – 11
American Indian Arts Marketplace
The largest Native arts fair in Southern California offers one-of-a-kind artwork, jewelry, and fashion from top Indigenous artists as well as the popular annual Native Voices short-play festival. Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, 323.667.2700, theautry.org.
June 17
Plein Air Fest, Etc.
Painting en plein air, more than 40 invited artists are given one day to capture the beauty of the National Elk Refuge from the museum’s Sculpture Trail. Visitors and collectors are welcome to browse and bid on the fresh artworks, which will be sold by silent auction later in the day. National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, Wyoming, 307.733.5771, wildlifeart.org.
June 24 – 25
Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival
At this 31st annual Indian market and festival, more than 140 Native artists will show and sell their artwork—from paintings and carvings to jewelry, pottery, beadwork, weavings, and more. Enjoy Indian fry bread and cultural performances, including music, dance, and storytelling, as well as family art-making activities. Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, 317.636.9378, eiteljorg.org.
To learn more about the many art events and exhibitions coming up this spring, grab your own copy of our May/June 2023 issue on newsstands now or right here.
