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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2015)
14 Wednesday, September 16, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Sisters Library honors ‘First Americans’ By Sue Stafford Correspondent The Friends of the Sisters Library (FOSL) have an exhibit titled “First Americans” in the commu- nity room, computer room, and lobby display cases from now through October. The show is running in conjunc- tion with the “Curtis Fever” events (see related story on page 7) planned throughout Central Oregon this fall. FOSL board members and members of the commu- nity have loaned items and artwork depicting the early 20th century life of Native Americans. Framed litho- graphs by well-known Sisters artist Ray Eyerly (see related story on page 3) will be available for purchase, with the proceeds going to Sisters Kiwanis for civic projects, college scholarships for local students, and career-advance- ment scholarships. Prior to his death in 1980, Eyerly had given all the lithographs of his original paintings to Jim and Carrie Cheatham, then-owners of The Gallery Restaurant, where Eyerly had displayed his original artwork since 1963. Following Eyerly’s death, his three children took pos- session of the originals then in The Gallery as well as most of the lithographs. Cheatham retained the open packages of unsold lithographs, which TREATING SPORTS INJURIES Children & Adults Three Sisters Chiropractic 270 S. Spruce St., Sisters Dr. Inice Gough, DC, 541.549.3583 ThreeSistersChiropractic.com he kept for over 30 years in dark, temperature-controlled storage so they are currently in pristine condition. Last winter, Cheatham donated all of the remaining 250 litho- graphs to Sisters Kiwanis in support of their fundraising efforts. At the First Americans exhibit there will be six Eyerly lithographs, framed by Sisters Gallery and Frame Shop, available for pur- chase. The largest of these is a full-color image of Chief Clarence Burke, which mea- sures 30 by 42 inches includ- ing frame. Burke (July 4, 1891-July 2, 1987) was described as a broad-shouldered man, taller than most others. He was the chief of the Umatilla tribes. He reportedly spoke only his native language, Shahaptian, the ancestral language of the Columbia Basin tribes. His ancestors had been given the “Friendship Medal” by Lewis and Clark when they traveled through the region – a symbol of peace and cooperation with the U.S. government, and the acknowledged badge of lead- ership among the tribes. That medal was later stolen from Burke and never recovered. For years, Burke was an icon at the Pendleton Roundup. He was known as the “most photographed Indian in the West.” Eyerly’s painting portrays him in his complete chief’s dress, including his full headdress of eagle feathers. The por- trait was originally painted in 1971. Besides the six litho- graphs being exhibited, any of the other unframed Eyerly prints held by Kiwanis are also available for purchase. Those bought during the First Americans exhibit will be framed by Sisters Gallery for 15 percent off the cost of the frame and matte. Order forms will be collected over the six weeks of the show and will be available for pickup at the conclusion of the exhibit at Sisters Gallery. Also on display will be a print of the original pho- togravure by Edward Curtis of his “Camp Among the Spokan” (his spelling), which was made in 1910. It shows tents erected in a clearing by members of the Spokan tribe. This is being loaned by Kit Stafford, who is also pro- viding a peyote ceremonial bag, a beaded belt with sil- ver buckle, and a turtle rattle with feathers. Local Sisters artist Dyrk Godby (see related story, page 19) has provided two leather pieces on which he has created artwork using a wood-burning tool and a pencil drawing showcasing the intricacy of his work. There will be other artwork and artifacts depicting ordi- nary life among the First Americans at the beginning of the 20th century. photo by Curtiss abbott chief clarence Burke, by Ray eyerly. Gordon’s Last Touch Cleaning Specialists For… 541-549-3008 Carpets • Upholstery Windows Accepting VISA & MasterCard! Snow Removal! Member of the vetter vusiness vureau Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 vonded & Insured