Smoki Museum
From
Feb. 3 through April 8, the Smoki Museum in Prescott, Arizona presents
Warrior Elder: The Paintings of Leonard Peltier, a rare exhibition of
paintings by the Chippewa artist. All of the works, including 16 to 18
acrylic on canvas paintings, as well as lithographs and giclée prints,
will be for sale. Entirely self-taught, Peltier displays a bold use of
color and form, with works ranging from portraiture and still-lifes to
scenes of traditional American Indian life.
Peltier painted this body of work over the last 30 years while serving
two consecutive terms of life imprisonment. He was convicted, in a very
controversial trial, of murdering two FBI Special Agents on the Pine
Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975. He is currently incarcerated at the
U.S. Penitentiary in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
The exhibition kicks off with a members-only preview on the evening of
Feb. 2 (memberships will be available at the door), including remarks
by a number of speakers from the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee,
such as author Michael Blake (Dances with Wolves). The exhibition opens
to the public on Feb. 3, again with speakers. This will be followed by
a 7 p.m. concert featuring the outstanding reggae artist Casper (Hopi),
as well as other notable musicians. Admission to the opening is free;
concert tickets are $10 to $15. Curating the show is Adam Mikos. The
Smoki Museum is directed by L. John Tannous. Details: 928/445-1230 or
smokimuseum.org—Daniel Gibson
