JACKSON, Wyo. — Grounded is a strategic and timely art exhibition organized by ArtSpirit, the arts initiative of the Episcopal Church in Wyoming, and CARAVAN, a global arts non-profit, from June 1 to July 23. This is just one stop on a multi-year international tour.
The exhibit at Center for the Arts includes three specific events held throughout June:
Opening Reception for Gallery Show
The opening reception will take place June 1 at 7 p.m. at The Center Theater and Gallery.
Special guests and speakers will include participating Native American artists, an Indigenous drum circle and the cedaring of the artwork to which all are invited. The Grounded exhibit brings together 15 premier and emerging contemporary artists from Indigenous American tribes traditionally based in and around the Great Plains. It is an artistic exploration that seeks to inspire our imaginations about our need to be “grounded” in our relationship with all of creation: the earth and its wildlife, each other and ourselves.
“The Art of Home”
The Jackson Film Premiere will take place June 7 at 7 p.m. at The Center Theater.
ArtSpirit, Episcopal Church in Wyoming and CARAVAN, sponsored by Wyoming Humanities, will bring the Jackson film premiere screening of the Emmy-nominated PBS film “The Art of Home: A Wind River Story,” which focuses on two indigenous contemporary artists from the Wind River Reservation reflecting artistically on their tribal homelands, on the role of art in reconciliation and on what it means to be a “native artist.”
Special guests at the film screening include Emmy award-winning director Mat Hames, producer Jordan Dresser (Northern Arapaho) and featured Native artist and actor Sarah Ortegon (Eastern Shoshone), who will provide a “behind the scenes” perspective including historical context on the arts and crafts of their communities, passed down through the ages, as they encourage young artists to stay connected to their roots.
“An Evening with Joy Harjo”
The event with the U.S. Poet Laureate (2019-2022) and winner of the Pen USA Literary Award for Nonfiction will take place on June 16 at 7 p.m. at The Center Theater.
An Evening with Joy Harjo, 23rd United States Poet Laureate, will wrap up the month-long series of events. This will be an evening of poetry, music and reflection with Joy Harjo. A member of the Muscogee Nation, she is the first Native American to hold that honor. Harjo is an internationally renowned performer and writer, having authored nine books of poetry, several plays and children’s books and two memoirs. Harjo performs with her saxophone nationally and internationally.
This is the only ticketed event of the series. Tickets are available on The Center’s website and are selling fast.
This final event is sponsored by ArtSpirit, CARAVAN, Center for the Arts, Wyoming Humanities, Wort Hotel and St. John’s Episcopal Church, in partnership with EcoTheo Collective.
More information on these events can be found on The Center’s website.
