This new exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum examines the close aligned relationship between non-Natives and Natives alike through portraiture.

The Tacoma Art Museum is currently showcasing the “Native Portraiture: Power and Perception” exhibit. It features several portraitures of Native Americans that range from classic western artwork to contemporary pieces as recent as 2017. While historically Native artwork is typically reflective of the U.S. western landscape, the museum says that it wants to break this stereotype by featuring more contemporary artists, particularly ones in the Pacific Northwest.  

“Western art is laden with images of Native Americans that range from recordings of direct observations to highly romanticized, invented images,” the museum states on its website. “Yet many of these paintings are made by non-Native artists. What is communicated when an outsider portrays someone from another culture? How are these depictions different from when a person connected to a culture shares an individual or collective experience?”  

When you walk into the exhibit, you are met with an enormous colorful oil-painted portrait of a Native American buffalo hunter. It mixes navy blues to create a darkened hue background with outlined black horses. A white ambiance shaded with strong brush strokes amplifies the figure in front. The Native with pale beige skin and dark long hair poses. He is wearing a white beaded necklace and small circle earrings. He has a traditional feathered headdress which distinguishes him from other tribes.  

He is a member of the Crow Nation, which is known for having an enduring relationship with horses. Artist Kevin Red Star depicts the strong connection this buffalo hunter has with horses. Not only are horses a crucial part to their tribe’s well-being, this specific breed is important to track down buffalo to kill. The warm copper colors draw your attention to the figure’s body. The face is marked with white vertical lines that represent the figures significance to the tribe.  

The artist Kevin Red Star has painted many other notable Native artworks including “Chief and his men,” “Counting Coup,” and “Crow Indians – Small War Party Departing” to name a few. He is a member of the Crow Nation and has made several artworks that are shown in dozens of galleries across the U.S. 

Across the gallery from Kevin Red Star’s work is another portraiture titled “Taos Indian Chief” by Ernest Blumenschein. It is a depiction of a Plains Native American wearing a large red and turquoise feathered headdress. The picture is cropped and cuts off below the shoulders. We only see a glimpse of the red cloak he is wearing on top of his shoulders, but not what he is looking towards. It’s a classic western depiction of Indigenous people. The tan skin with classic Native attire. In comparison to other contemporary works at the exhibit, this one sticks to historical western style.  

Typically, Native American artwork was painted by non-natives. George Catlin, a lawyer, author, painter and traveler was considered by many to be the most notable for depicting Native figures. One of this most famous works “Wah-ro-née-sah, The Surrounder, Chief of the Otoe Tribe” is an 1832 portrait that is currently housed inside the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It used dark hues and oversimplified textures. The colors blend seamlessly together and create a realistic appearance of the Native.  

Many pieces of art at this time during the 1800s focused on creating idealistic depictions of people. It wanted to give the viewer an alluring experience of the artwork. Rather than reflect the intricacies and details of the subject, the inspirational and romanticized thoughts of the subject were reflected. As revered as Catlin was for his innovative works depicting Indigenous people, he was also highly criticized for his lack of awareness and overall attention to the Native experience and perspective. Through the romanticized appearance of Natives, he missed the true experience of their lives and messages they were revealing.  

While many classic style art pieces reflect this similar idea, it is still a significant addition to the Native tribes. Several of the art pieces depict Natives in western, classic, contemporary and abstract. They all give a voice to an often overlooked group of people in the U.S.  

The works depict several Indigenous tribes such as the Navajo Nation, Apsáalooke Nation, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Apsáalooke Nation, and much more.  

If you would like to view any of these paintings, you can visit the Tacoma Art Museum Wed-Sun from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The “Native American Power and Perception” exhibit will be on display at TAM until March 17, 2024. Thursdays are open and free to the public, otherwise, you can purchase tickets in person or online through their website at https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org. 

Beyond the celebration of design and artistry, this collaboration aligns with The Plated Project’s noble mission to combat hunger through art. A remarkable 6,000 meals will be donated to the needy said to illustrate Lamborghini’s commitment to social responsibility.

Sharad Agarwal, head of Lamborghini India said, “As we celebrate 60 years of Lamborghini’s relentless pursuit of excellence, we are delighted to join hands with ‘The Plated Project’ to create a truly exceptional art showcase, ‘Shadanga’. This initiative not only pays homage to our iconic brand but also contributes to a meaningful cause.”

The ‘Shadanga’ project is not only beautiful to look at but also showcases how art can be used for the good of humanity. The addition of Indian heritage only adds to the celebration.

Christmas came early for multi-platinum-selling country artist and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery.

On Sunday evening, the 30-year-old North Carolina native with five No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay chart singles was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks during the Opry’s annual “Country Christmas” show.

“Merry Christmas,” Brooks said after walking onstage and handing McCreery a wrapped gift.

“This is a Christmas present to the Grand Ole Opry. We would love to invite you to be the newest member of the Opry.”

“Holy cow. Yes, I would love to,” replied a stunned McCreery.

A longtime Brooks fan, McCreery noted to the crowd that as a frequent Opry performer who had not yet been offered membership, he “didn’t think that dream would become a reality.”

“When I got started doing this people asked, ‘what are your goals,’ I’d say ‘one day I’d like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.'”

McCreery then bent down and filled with emotion, touched the circle of wood in the Opry’s center stage.

A professional performer for half of his life, the longtime fan of artists including Brooks, Ronnie Millsap, Randy Travis and Conway Twitty is an avowed classic country fan who told The Tennessean in 2021 that above all else, he loved to “tell stories through a country song.”

His most recent hit, “Damn Strait,” pines after a relationship primarily based around a shared love of “The Chair” performer’s catalog.

McCreery sings, “Damn Strait, I used to love your songs/ But now every time that one comes on/ My heart gets broke in half.”

“We’re thrilled to extend this much-anticipated invitation to our friend Scotty,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers.

“Whether he’s on the Opry performing his hits, putting his spin on some old favorites during a performance on one of our Opry Country Classics shows, or offering a holiday set as he did tonight, Scotty consistently delivers and is always at home on the Opry stage. It’ll be exciting to hear the words’ Scotty McCreery, you’re a member of the Grand Ole Opry!’ in the early days of 2024.”

McCreery’s induction date will be announced soon.

Brooks has been busy not just downtown at his new Friends in Low Places honky-tonk, but in ushering in a new era of male crooners as Opry members.

Six weeks ago, chart-topping “Last Night Lonely” vocalist Jon Pardi was officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Brooks.

“This is me and you joined in holy matrimony shared by our love of country music,” said Brooks as he handed the California-born crooner the official Opry member award.

McCreery’s induction raises the total of Opry inductions since March 2020 to 13 Opry membership additions. Not since Willie Nelson and Connie Smith were among a septet of 1964-65 inductions have the Opry’s cast numbers grown so significantly in such a brief period.

For more information on the Grand Ole Opry, visit http://www.opry.com.