While Native American artists have long been recognized as world-class masters in such artistic media as textiles, jewelry and pottery, they have only recently begun to take their rightful places among the ranks of the world's great painters. Here we present a look at the work and lives of four highly talented Native painters who deserve such recognition: Michael Kabotie, Mateo Romero, Norma Howard and Mario Martinez.

The National Museum of the American Indian has selected contemporary painter Benjamin Jacanamijoy Tisoy (Sibundoy Valley Inga), painter/multimedia artist Kent Monkman (Cree) and carved­buffalo horn artist Kevin Pourier (Oglala Lakota) for its 2005 Visiting Artist awards, while its Community Artist Fellowship was awarded to musician Marcus Frejo (Seminole).

The largest gathering in Washington, D.C. history of Native peoples from across the Americas assembled September 21 on the National Mall to witness the grand opening of the Smithsonain Institution\'s National Museum of the American Indian (see cover story, Sep/Oct 2004 issue). Beneath a blue sky and bright sunlight reflecting off the nearby U.S. Capitol...