Contemporary art exhibit featuring cultural ancestors to open at Anasazi Heritage Center

Organization:

BLM Colorado State Office

BLM Office:

Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum/Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Media Contact:

Shannon Borders, Public Affairs Specialist

DOLORES, Colo. – On Friday, Dec. 5, a new contemporary art exhibit melds ancient Native American traditions to showcase history from a modern point of view at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores.   The juried art show features works by students, alumni, faculty and staff from the Institute of American Indian Arts community in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“We are excited for the public to view the new exhibit entitled ‘Ancestral Homelands Connection to Land, Space and Time’,” said Marietta Eaton, Anasazi Heritage Center and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Manager. “This exhibit explores the concept of contemporary art influenced by cultural ancestors and traditions while honoring traditions that span generations.”
 
The public is invited to attend the reception featuring guest speaker McKeon Dempsey, Miss Navajo Nation and Alumni of IAIA, who opens the show that was curated by IAIA student Therese Lynston at 5 p.m.  Friday, Dec. 5.

Lynston’s theme for the exhibit was inspired by the concept that modern Indigenous peoples’ art is a creative expression that reflects an ingrained connection to their ancestors and to the land.  According the Lynston, this relationship is embedded in the art exhibit and thus the art honors their culture while celebrating the adaptation and development of modern points of view.   

The Anasazi Heritage Center (27501 Hwy. 184 in Dolores) is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the ‘Ancestral Homelands Connection to Land, Space and Time’ exhibit is on display through October 2015.

For more information, go to https://www.blm.gov/get-involved/artist-in-residence/air-sites/canyons-ancients-national-monument or call 970-882-5600.


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