Calling all local artists!  

The Greater Wilmington Business Journal is accepting submissions from local artists  – original paintings and drawings that reflect Wilmington-area landmarks, events, communities, native wildlife or landscapes.  

Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business. 
 
Artists whose work is selected to appear in the publication are invited to provide a headshot, short bio and contact information to be included in the 2024 Book of Business. 
 
Artists can submit up to three entries. Photography is not accepted. Paintings, drawings, photo illustration, digital illustration and collage will be considered. The publication is tabloid format, so vertical art is preferred. One piece will be used on the cover. All other selections will appear as full-page section intros throughout the publication. 
 
The artist whose piece is chosen for the cover will also receive $250 and a 1/2 page ad credit. 
 
To submit: Please send an electronic copy of the original art in JPEG, TIFF or PDF format. Files should be less than 9MB. Vertical images work best with the print format. If your artwork is selected, we will ask for a larger, high-resolution version. 
 
Email submissions, questions or artist recommendations to [email protected]. 
 
Submission deadline is Dec. 9. 
 
Editor’s note: For businesses that have questions about being included on industry lists in the Book on Business, contact [email protected].

Tuesday, October 24 at 8:00pm – Tune in or stream with the PBS app and online at video.lptv.org.

Native America is a groundbreaking portrait of contemporary Indian Country. This four-part Native directed series reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous world. Smashing stereotypes, it follows the brilliant engineers, bold politicians, and cutting-edge artists who draw upon Native tradition to build a better 21st century.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith had never visited a gallery or art museum before college, but that didn’t deter her from pursuing her passion. Throughout her career, the artist’s work has hung everywhere from the Smithsonian American Art Museum to the Carnegie Museum of Art. Her piece “I See Red: Target” was the first painting on canvas by a Native artist purchased by the National Gallery of Art.

Now, roughly 50 years of her career — including paintings, drawings and sculpture exploring the importance of nature, history and conceptions of time and creation — are on display at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Born in 1940 in a Jesuit mission on the Flathead Reservation in Montana, Smith is a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation, and her work confronts the discrimination Indigenous people face in the United States and also pokes fun at the stereotypes.

“When I was a little girl,” she told a crowd gathered at the Modern, “we were asked to leave restaurants or stores with my father who was very dark. ‘We don’t serve Indians here.’ … So we didn’t wear anything that would identify us.”

When she learned about art history she saw several different renderings of the Madonna, also called the Virgin Mary or Mother of Christ, but they were all white. Smith decided to make a sculpture of her own, an Indigenous version, which is one of the first pieces that greets visitors upon entering the exhibition.

Around the mid-to-late ’80s and early ’90s, Smith began to feel that her works weren’t political enough so she started to introduce text into her art.

“People were saying, ‘Well, I don’t understand what this work is about, and I hear what you’re saying, but it doesn’t look that way to me.’ So I decided I would just put the text in there and just let it speak for itself,” she said. As a bonus, it helps the docents describe the work to tour groups.

Smith created a set of paper dolls in 1991 with Barbie and Ken Plenty of Horses and a variety of outfits such as “A suit for receiving U.S. gov’t rations when not allowed to hunt or gather our own food” and “Matching Smallpox suits after U.S. gov’t sent wagon loads of Smallpox-infected blankets to keep our families warm.”

Filling the wall of another gallery, an expansive 12-feet-wide mixed-media canvas depicts a long canoe, images of wildlife and a collage of headlines, including: “Have you lost your sense of direction?,” “Protect Endangered Loggers,” and “My daughter collects seashells. I collect air miles.” The shelf with plastic baskets mounted above the piece “Tongass Trade Canoe” is emblematic of her view that Americans are trading plastic for wildlife and natural landscapes.

“My father said, ‘Don’t criticize white people because it will help you get in trouble, but you can think it,’” she recalled. “So I think … one reason why I started going to newspapers was because it was a safe thing to do. It was already created and I could cut it out and paste it on here.”

In the ’90s, Smith was inspired by the boldness of younger generations, she shed her fear of wearing items that would identify her as Native.

Ironically, even today, if she wears a hat with beadwork or traditional earrings, she still gets comments about how she looks. The same thing happens to her son whenever he carries an embroidered bag.

“Some of the things we deal with are, ‘It doesn’t look Indian’ or ‘You don’t look Indian,’” Smith’s son Neal Ambrose-Smith said. “And it might sound strange, but that happens a lot of the time, like ‘Where are your feathers?’ that sort of thing.”

Smith’s work is grounded in research, but her own perspective is always present, whether she is challenging stereotypes, pointing out hypocrisy or turning a map on its side.

This subversion isn’t meant to evoke a power struggle but intended as a kind reminder that the land that would become the United States was settled long before Christopher Columbus and other pilgrims arrived.

“We were here first,” Smith said. “We’ve been here since creation time.”

About 130 pieces of her work will be on view at the Modern through Jan. 21.

Marcheta Fornoff covers the arts for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at marcheta.fornoff@fortworthreport.org or on Twitter. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Lowriders and oversize flannel button-downs, gold jewelry and the Mexican flag.

Two North Texas multimedia artists are filtering symbols of Chicano culture through their own lenses to reflect on their experiences growing up first-generation Mexican American. Their work also touches on larger themes of religion, adolescence and identity.

“When you’re first-generation, I feel like you’re always stuck and you’re fighting between two cultures,” said Adrian Garcia Mendez, founder of Her.Manos Photography. “You want to put them together but the people from both sides try to pull them back. You’re the rope and you want to bring them together.”

Martha Rincón’s, known as Thrive, three-photo series titled “Eslabón por Eslabón,” or “Chain to Chain,” is being showcased at 400 H Gallery until November. The series consists of three double-exposure photographs of lowriders taken at a car show in 2020. All three photographs are printed on makeshift license plates and layered on top of a pink faux fur background.

“That was a time when I really started capturing lowrider culture, so when I got asked to be a part of this event, I was like, ‘I kind of want to bring that back, like a little ode to the beginning of me,’ ” Rincón said.

And it’s not just Rincón and Garcia Mendez; Chicano culture is having a moment. Over the past few years, there’s been renewed interest by mainstream arts institutions in showcasing the local arts and culture of Mexican Americans.

Back in 2022, the Dallas Museum of Art hosted a lowrider event for its Drifting on a Memory mural. Dallas artist Lokey Calderon and East L.A archivist and artist Guadalupe Rosales presented their immersive 153-foot mural of a pinstriped lowrider in the museum’s concourse. The entire concourse was designed to make visitors feel like they were inside a lowrider. Dallas lowrider clubs were invited to show off their lowriders in the front and back of the building.

Rincón was there, too. She designed an airbrushed backdrop and set it up by the museum’s main entrance and took glam photos of attendees.

“I feel like that was a big moment in Latino culture in Dallas,” Rincón said. “When have you ever seen so many Latinos and lowriders at the DMA? It was so important and I’m very, very grateful to have been a part of that.”

Growing up in the Webb Chapel neighborhood of Dallas, Rincón remembers going to flea markets with her family. When she was a teenager, she bought her first camera, a Canon AE-1, at a vintage shop that used to be in Deep Ellum and began shooting photographs of buildings and architecture. After realizing she enjoyed photographing her friends more, she started taking portraits, incorporating bits of her family memories into her photo shoots to make them more personal.

“I have a picture of a girl, one of my models, at a bazaar, and that’s childhood for me.” Rincón said. “Every Sunday, my family and I would go to either indoor swap meets or flea markets. It was part of my childhood, like a family ritual type of thing.”

Garcia Mendez, an Oak Cliff native, always messed with cameras. He filmed videos with his flip phone, sending them to his friends just for fun. Three years ago, he wanted to expand his craft so he picked up a film camera. He began photographing old, abandoned buildings covered in graffiti and street art. Later, he transitioned to photographing lowriders.

“These are just things I saw growing up,” Garcia Mendez said.

Both Garcia Mendez and Ricon showcased their work in exhibitions this month. Photos by Garcia Mendez were recently featured in “Euphoria,” a photography show at 500X Gallery in Dallas that showcased photographs and installations that blurred the lines between “reality and the ethereal.” Garcia Mendez displayed six photos, including a self portrait titled Payaso Vaquero . In it, Garcia Mendez is dressed like a cowboy, but also sports a clown nose and big, puffy white Mickey Mouse-esque gloves.

“I always say I have to say a joke to tell the truth,” Garcia Mendez, who was known as the class clown as a child, said. “That’s why the payaso is always in my work and why I always see myself as the payaso.”

While both artists’ works represent their backgrounds, they hope their art can send a message to larger audiences. Garcia Mendez said he wants his photography and short films to help people value and learn more about his Hispanic culture, instead of stereotyping. Similarly, Rincón said her work comes from the pride she has with her cultural roots, but she wants others to be able to connect with it.

“If other people can resonate with it, then I’m already winning,” she said.

“Eslabón por Eslabón” runs until November at 400 Houston Street Gallery & Studio in Fort Worth. Find more information here. 

Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA.

This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access’ journalism.

Jodi Voice Yellowfish (Muscogee Creek, Oglala Lakota and Cherokee) will speak about the history and current realities of the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St. in Lincoln.

Yellowfish is founder and chair of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Texas Rematriate, a Dallas-based organization that helps Indigenous families search for and bring home missing and murdered relatives; supports and offers healing processes to those families; and advocates for social change.

There is a disproportionate rate of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirits in the United States and Canada. A 2018 report by the Urban Indian Health Institute listed murder as the third-leading cause of death of American Indian and Alaskan Native women ages 10-24. Yellowfish will speak about the crisis’s history, contributing factors and current efforts.

The free public event, part of the center’s Paul A. Olson lecture series, is in conjunction with the Great Plains Art Museum exhibition “Supporting Indigenous Sisters: An International Print Exchange.” The exhibition, which runs through Dec. 16, involves 16 artists from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds. The portfolio was created to help begin conversations about missing and murdered Indigenous women at many levels.

Details

By Native News Online Staff

October 17, 2023

The Poeh Cultural Center at Pueblo of Pojoaque has received a $100,000 grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD). Funding comes from the inaugural Creative Industries Grant that was appropriated by the New Mexico Legisture during its 2023 session.

With the grant funds, the Poeh Cultural Center will lead an “Answers Are Indigenous Project” that aims to engage more artists and entrepreneurs to sell and/or consign their work with local year-round and seasonal sales venues. Artists will also receive entrepreneurial training to build or enhance the  business skills and resources participating in the project. The initiative will help preserve cultural  heritage and promote the growth of creative industries for the Poeh’s Pueblo arts program students, Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival artists, and surrounding indigenous entrepreneurs. 

“Our ‘Answers Are Indigenous Project’ is a significant step towards engaging more artists and  entrepreneurs. The initiative will work by providing local artists and entrepreneurs with the necessary  tools and resources to increase their visibility and sales opportunities,” said Karl Duncan, executive director of the Poeh Cultural Center. “We are grateful to the New Mexico Economic Development Department for their support and look forward to the successful implementation of our project.” 

The legislation created the Creative Industries Division that is part of the Economic Development Department. A total of $1.8 million will be awarded to 18 projects in 15 communities and three pueblos across New Mexico. These projects aim to stimulate the advancement and economic development of creative industries in local communities and tribes.

EDD Deputy Secretary Jon Clark said in a released statement,  “The Creative Industries Grants support projects that demonstrate the potential to make a significant  impact on New Mexico’s creative industries economy. Following a competitive process, the initiatives  were chosen for their creativity and clear commitment to advancing creative industry-based economic  development by supporting businesses in creative industries throughout New Mexico.” 

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Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at [email protected].

Premieres Tuesdays, Oct. 24 – Nov. 14, 2023 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV / PBS App. Episodes from Season 1 are on demand with KPBS Passport!

NATIVE AMERICA returns this October with four new hour-long episodes that present a groundbreaking portrait of contemporary Native America. Building on the first season’s success, Season 2 of the Native-directed series reveals the beauty and power of today’s Indigenous communities.

Smashing stereotypes, it follows the brilliant engineers, bold politicians and cutting-edge artists who draw upon Native tradition to build a better 21st century. The series is narrated by Joy Harjo of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the internationally renowned poet, performer and writer who served three terms as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States.

Each hour explores a core tenet of Native American heritage: the power of Indigenous design, how language and artistry fuel the soul, the diverse ways Native women lead, and the resilience of the warrior spirit.

Brought to life with dynamic stories of the here and now, the series launches an active dialogue between past and present, revealing how foundational beliefs and traditions are shaping and transforming modern Native life.

NATIVE AMERICA was created with active input from Native American participants and communities and filmed by Emmy Award-winning cinematographers. This collaboration created a depth of access and a sense of up-close intimacy and authenticity rarely seen on television.

Filmmaker Quotes:

“NATIVE AMERICA is built on trust — trust that comes from the unspoken understanding of shared experiences between Native producers and the people in tribal communities whose stories we are telling,” said Dan Golding, series producer and enrolled member of the Quechan Indian Nation. “What follows is the freedom to express ourselves in a way that is truly representative. As a Passamaquoddy Elder says in the series, ‘Language is who I am.’ As a producer/director on this series, I can say NATIVE AMERICA is who we are!”

“Native people share their wisdom and knowledge by the telling and retelling of stories,” said Francene Blythe-Lewis, executive director of Vision Maker Media. “The stories mark histories, express relationships to climates and environments, and instill humanity, as well as lessons learned and joys. NATIVE AMERICA portrays this generation’s Native stories to further reveal who and where we are in this world.”

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1: “New Worlds” Premieres Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV – Native innovators including NASA engineer Aaron Yazzie (Navajo), sustainable builder Henry Red Cloud (Lakota), and First Nations electronic music group The Halluci Nation are leading a revolution in space exploration, architecture and music. Their work is impacting lives across the globe — and even in outer space. Their revolutionary approach to their work combines deeply held traditions with modern innovation to transform and improve their communities.

From designing key instruments used by NASA’s Perseverance rover as it searches for life on Mars, to developing new forms of energy-efficient housing inspired by Plains Indian traditions, to applying principles of electronic music and hip-hop to bring a contemporary powwow beat to the masses, Native people are playing a significant part in every aspect of the modern world.

Episode 2: “Warrior Spirit” Premieres Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV – Within Native communities across America, warrior traditions inspire incredible athletes and connect people to combat, games and glory. “Warrior Spirit” reveals Native men and women who live and breathe this legacy today, including teen boxer Mariah Bahe (Navajo), ultrarunner Christian Gering (Katishtya), and Indian Horse Relay riders from the Flathead National Reservation in Montana. Today’s Native warriors are connected by an incredible history and drive to strengthen and empower themselves, their cultures, communities, and their Nations.

This tradition of reaching within oneself to serve has deep roots in Native American communities. It is told in the proud history of horsemen on the plains fighting to protect their homelands and the Navajo Code Talkers, who transmitted secret messages in World War II. And it lives on across Native America today, where nearly one in five serves in the American armed forces — the highest rate of any group. “Warrior Spirit” uncovers how this legacy is carried forward on the sports field.

Episode 3: “Women Rule” Premieres Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV – From the corridors of power to the fashion runway, from superheroes in comic books to real-life champions protecting the planet, Native women are continuing their traditional roles as leaders to make a better future. “Women Rule” explores how they are building on deep traditions to improve their communities, their lands and the world.

Political trailblazer Ruth Buffalo (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) fights to protect vulnerable people across North Dakota as a state representative. Arigon Starr (Kickapoo) employs music, theater and comic books to revolutionize how Native people are portrayed in the media.

Betty Osceola (Miccosukee Nation) is saving the Everglades through headline-grabbing activism. And Jamie Okuma (Luiseño) designs awardwinning works of wearable art that are rewriting the story of Native fashion.

Episode 4: “Language is Life” Premieres Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV – From Hollywood films on the big screen to sacred writing deep within the Earth, from long-lost voices captured in wax cylinders, Native people are fighting to keep their languages and ways of life alive.

Though many of the approximately 170 Native languages spoken across the United States remain at risk today, it is a time of hope. A revolutionary effort to revitalize traditional languages is unfolding across Native America; and Native innovators are applying 21st-century technologies to save a core element of their culture and inspire future generations.

“Language Is Life” highlights how Native heroes are using every tool to recover, revitalize and restore their linguistic traditions. For example, this episode explores the recovery of Passamaquoddy songs recorded over a century ago using a laser-assisted needle, and digital scans of Cherokee writing hidden under graffiti in a Georgia cave.

In addition, Manny Wheeler (Navajo) shares his mission to dub Hollywood blockbusters like “Star Wars” into Navajo. Their successes are changing Native America and the world at large.

Watch On Your Schedule:

NATIVE AMERICA will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS App, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast and VIZIO.

In addition to the broadcast series, PBS Digital Studios will also stream a digital companion web series exploring more Native American cultures and histories.

Credits:

Produced by Providence Pictures with Daniel Golding (Quechan) and Jennifer Johns (Diné) as series producers, Charles “Boots” Kennedye (Kiowa) and Paige Bethmann (Mohawk/Oneida) as producer/ directors, Pam Belgarde (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) as producer, Mandolin Rainsong (Taos Pueblo) as segment producer, Jeffrey Dobereiner as supervising producer, Rob Tinworth as post-production producer and lead editor, Maureen Lynch and Ben Sweeney as coordinating producers, and Gary Glassman as executive producer. Animation by Handcranked Productions with artists Kaylene J. Big Knife (Chippewa Cree), Jason Garcia (Santa Clara Pueblo), Rìo Castañeda-Guthreau, Derick Wycherly (Chippewa Cree). Sound design and mix by Heartpunch, with the score composed by Ed Tomney, featuring music by The Halluci Nation, Eastern Medicine Singers and Arigon Starr (Kickapoo). Community outreach and engagement are supported by Francene Blythe-Lewis (Diné, Sisseton-Wahpeton, Eastern Cherokee), Executive Director of Vision Maker Media. About the Filmmakers