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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2024)
New four-gallery exhibition in Newport celebrates emerging Indigenous artists NEWPORT, Ore. – Oregon Coast Council for the Arts has announced an extraordinary exhibition coming to Nye Beach this summer. Where Waters Meet – celebrating the next generation of Indig- enous creators – is on display June 1 to July 28 at the Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC) and in the Olive Street Gallery Newport Performing Arts Center (PAC), curated by Leonard D. Harmon. Honoring heritage while establishing new paths of contemporary expression, five talented artists from diverse back- grounds and Tribes present their work throughout four galleries and two separate buildings, showcasing photography, vid- eography, installation, painting, sculpture and basketry. In the VAC’s Runyan Gallery, Leon- ard D. Harmon (Lenape/Nanticoke) and Leland Butler (Grand Ronde/Siletz/ Yurok) present their collaborative contem- porary exhibit, Walking on Eggshells. The show features photography, film, sculpture and installation components. Harmon, a contemporary mixed- media artist, comes from a long line of creators and craftsmen. While he draws inspiration from his ancestors and Tribe, he is primarily self-taught. His inaugural solo exhibition took place in the VAC’s upstairs gallery in April and May 2023. Curiosity about self, land and people led Butler to photography a decade ago. His sophisticated and often mysterious compositions explore the duality of light and shadow. Booker Bartow (Wiyot) will present his bold and eclectic debut exhibit – South Beach Salamander – in the VAC’s Upstairs Gallery. Son of celebrated artist Rick Bar- tow, Booker’s early years were filled with music, art and long days spent searching for frogs and salamanders in the wetlands near his home. While much of his adult life has been devoted to skateboarding and sharing his love of the sport through videography, he has recently rediscovered his love for visual art. His work is a reflection of the joy he finds in mixing mediums, experi- menting and approaching the process with a sense of innocence that comes from working with no rules or self-judgment. The intricate and beautiful basketry of traditional weaver Chantele Rilatos Need Rental Housing? The Siletz Tribal Housing Department encourages you to apply for the Low-Income Rental Program waiting list in Siletz (1-4 bedrooms) and Lincoln City (2-3 bedrooms – Neachesna Village). Applications can be obtained at any Tribal area office (Eugene, Salem, Portland, Siletz) or online from the Tribal website – ctsi.nsn.us; follow links – Tribal Services-Housing-Low Rent Apartments & Home Ownership. Questions? Call 800-922-1399, ext. 1322, or 541-444-8322; fax: 541-444- 8313 (Siletz) will be on display in the COVAS Showcase at the VAC. Using varied plant materials native to her homelands, Rilatos creates beautiful woven works represent- ing the land and her ancestors. “Being a basketweaver connects me to my ancestors and homelands,” said Rila- tos. “It is a sacred practice I look forward to having a lifelong relationship with.” And at Olive Street Gallery, located inside the PAC, Memories at Night will be on display through Aug. 25, featuring the bold and exciting large-scale work of multidisciplinary artist Isabella Saavedra (Pit River Tribe). Saavedra’s work depicts introspective accounts of significant moments ranging from person to viral scale, a subject she refers to as her “Now-isms.” Her work is informed by queerness, radical vulnerabil- ity and philosophies of visual sovereignty. “Some nights, the realms of the spirit world, dream world and the real world exist simultaneously,” said Saavedra. “And at these times, one can commune with one’s self, memories and previous ver- sions of themself and consult with spirit guides. This is also the time I most often find myself painting.” An opening reception for all four exhibits will take place at both locations (VAC and PAC) on Saturday, June 1, from 12-5 p.m. Artist talks begin at 1 p.m. Admission is free, light refreshments will be served and DJ True Justice will provide entertainment. From 2:30-3:30 p.m., the public is invited to join in a leisure-focused arts engagement experience at the Olive Street Gallery (at the PAC). The space will be temporarily transformed into a reading room and attendees can peruse related art books and converse with one another and the artist. To learn more about Where Waters Meet and each of the individual exhibits, please visit www.coastarts.org/wwm. Exhibits at the VAC are free to the public and can be viewed most Wednes- days through Sundays from 12-4 p.m., at 777 NW Beach Drive in Newport. Exhib- its at the Olive Street Gallery (at the PAC) can be viewed Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and/or starting one hour before ticketed events. CTSI Jobs Employment information available at ctsi.nsn.us Note: “Open Until Filled” vacancies may close at any time. The Tribe’s Indian Preference policy will apply. Tribal government will not discriminate in selection because of race, creed, age, sex, color, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, politics, membership or non-membership in an employee orgnization. CTSI constantly is looking for temporary employees to cover vacancy, vacations, maternity leave and extended sick leave. If you are looking for tem- porary work that can last from 2-12 weeks, please submit an application for the temp pool. June 2024 • Siletz News • 9
