All libraries will be closed on Sunday, March 31, for Easter.

Native American Heritage

Join us during Native American Heritage Month to honor the history and culture of indigenous people in our community!

The library is proud to host a variety of events and cultural experiences this month in honor of Native American Heritage.

 

Native American Art

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Visit Metro Library's Native American online art collection featuring art from the Kiowa 6.

Between the years 1929 and 1952 French publisher C. Szwedzicki produced six portfolios containing works of North American Indian art. Edited by American scholars Oscar Jacobson, Hartley Alexander and Kenneth Chapman, each of these portfolios represents original works by 20th Century American Indian artists. Notably, one collection entitled, Les peintres indiens d'Amérique, contains paintings from the legendary Kiowa 6, a group of artists from Oklahoma who earned both national and international acclaim during the early twentieth century.

Born in Indian Territory at the outset of the 20th century, Stephen Mopope (1898–1974), Jack Hokeah (c. 1900/2–1969), Monroe Tsatoke (1904–1937), James Auchiah (1906–1974), Spencer Asah (1905/10–1954) and Lois Smoky (1907-1981) each displayed artistic promise and had been encouraged to paint by relatives, school teachers and Indian Services personnel. In 1926, the head of the University of Oklahoma art department, Oscar Jacobson, took notice and began creating a unique program for Kiowa artists. Through Jacobson’s influence, from 1928 to 1932, the Kiowa 6 exhibited their paintings at the First International Art Exposition in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and at the 1932 Venice Biennal. These exhibitions, along with a portfolio of the artists’ work titled Kiowa Indian Art, brought the group critical acclaim in America and Europe.

Many of the images were published as pochoir prints which are similar in appearance to silk screen prints. Stylistically, the works feature outlined fields of flat color with little or no indication of perspective. Such a linear, decorative style was derived in part from Plains ledger drawings and hide paintings with subject matter consisting of auto-ethnographic representations of everyday, traditional Kiowa life.

The contents of this collection are drawn from holdings of the Metropolitan Library’s Special Collections department.

 

Want to learn more?

We offer a variety of online resources to explore topics like Native American History and genealogy. Check out some of these resources to begin your research.

 

Events

This event is in the "All Ages" group.

"Echos of Tradition" presented by NASS

11:00am - 12:00pm
Almonte Library
Library Branch: Almonte Library
Room: Meeting Room (Almonte)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Cultural Experiences, Live Performances & Entertainment
Event Description:
The U.S. Grant High School, NASS (Native American Student Services) Dance Troupe will be holding a Native American dance demonstration at Almonte Library on Saturday, May 18 at 11:00 am.  The students are wanting to show their culture through so...

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.

Be Advised:  This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.

By Attending, you consent:  To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.

For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer

This event is in the "Kids" group.
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Art Around the World 3: Jamaica

All Day 6/25 - 6/29
Wright Library
Registration
Library Branch: Wright Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Wright)
Age Group: Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Cultural Experiences, DIY & Hobbies, Family Programs, Take-Home Kit
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 20
Event Description:
Let's take our next trip around the world - through art! Each monthly Art Around the World Take and Make Kits highlights a different type of folk art from countries, territories, and people around the world. For June, in honor of National Caribbea...

Disclaimer(s)

Warning: Kit contains small parts that could represent a choking hazard. It is not intended for children under 3. It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Bag.

We can only guarantee one kit per registration.  Please register individually to ensure that kits are appropriately distributed.  Special notes should not be used for additional registrations.

Thank you for your help!

It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.

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