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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2011)
September 21, 2011 % Minority & Small Business Week Page 29 Art Honors the Ancestors which her mother would keep in a drawer in her room. “I still had to really learn what One day, her mother asked her it was I was doing,” she said. “I what she was doing, and Pitt said didn’t even know the word “mar “I do art.” keting,” and 1 had to become real But Pitt explained, within their quick-steady because my art did traditional Shaptin language, the sell, and then I had to learn about word for art doesn't exist, so when money.” her mother asked, “What is art?” Pitt said much of her successes She responded, “I make pretty as an artist also stem from the things, and people buy them.” support of the galleries that have Pitt said, “My mother then told shown her work throughout her me, ‘Oh, well you have to do the career. One such space is the very best you can.’ Quintana Gallery located in Down “And that’s what I did,” she town Portland. said. Founded in 1972 by Cecil and Although Pitt reflects back on Rose Quintana, the art space is her years as an artist with grati unique in that it is the only gallery tude, after a life-time of creating that shows contemporary Native works that honor her ancestors, American art created exclusively she said it is time to give back to by Native Americans. the community she currently lives “I love being the conduit to within. artists to show their work and ex “I’m in the giving back stage,” pose their culture to our commu she said. nity,” said Cecily Quintana, the Pitt said her advice to a young director of the gallery and daugh working artist, inspired by her ter of the founders. “I appreciate mother, is to do the very best work how supportive the city of Port possible. “No shortcuts,” she land has been to-the gallery, and said. “And don’t expect every how loyal our clients are in their thing to be easy. You know you’re support of Native-American art.” an artist when you feel compelled Quintana said, when an artist’s to do art every single day.” work speaks specifically to a cul Currently, Pitt is working with ture, it can often be difficult to the Confluence Project and teach find a venue that is the perfect fit ing high school and 8th grade for them. “It can be hard to find a students about the indigenous gallery because there are few fo people of the Colombia River. She cused specifically to certain cul said she has also been teaching tures.” art workshops at Celilo Village She said, however, this is what near the falls in the Colombia River makes the gallery, which has re Gorge. mained open for 40-years, so spe When The Dalles dam was built cial. in 1957, she said the Army Corps Pitt agreed. of Engineers moved the village According to Quintana, “when and promised them homes. “But people hear Lillian is coming to that didn’t really happen until two- the gallery, they are so excited years-ago,” she said. because they want to know the “When you reach a certain level person behind the work because of success you have to give back she is so magical.” to your community,” she said. Quintana gallery, said Pitt, was “The village has been lied to and one of the first places to show her tromped on, so I decided to help work, and she remembers when it them instead of my own reserva was just a “little tiny store,” at the tion, the Confederate Tribes of time of her emergence as a young Warm Springs.” Indian artist. The kids, she said, are so proud “It was such a treat to find to do something of their own. “It them,” she said. “I feel very privi was very empowering to the whole leged.” village.” Although neither of her par Throughout her time as an art ents witnessed the artist she has ist, Pitt has been dedicated to become today, she said they would sharing her history and culture of be very proud to see how she has her people for a more peaceful celebrated their culture. tomorrow and created art, which After Pitt’s father died in 1975 has shown individuals from all and during her first moments as walks of life the beauty behind an artist, her mother resided in a Native American traditions. nursing home, where Pitt would She said, “We have to take care bring her self-made mask pens, of each other like family.” c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 19 Cecil Quintana and his daughter Cecily are a major force in theirfam ily’s business Quintana Gallery, which was founded in 19 72 and is the only place in the entire city that shows contemporary art by Native Americans created exclusively by Native Americans. PHOTO BY M indy C ooper / T he P ortland O bserver Saluting Minority Businesses Alberta Street Market 909 N.E. Alberta Street 503-282-2169 ★ Hot Food ★ ★ ★ ★ Best Chicken Wings In Town ★ Best Selection of Mirco Brew and Wine Mon-Sun • 8AM - 12 PM Fri-Sat • 8 AM - 1 PM
