JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 14, 2023 – Stereotypes of Native Americans are ubiquitous and familiar. The exhibition titled Savages and Princess: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes brings together 12 contemporary Native American visual artists who reclaim their right to represent their identities as Native Americans. Whether using humor, subtlety or irony, the telling is always fiercely honest and dead-on accurate. Images and styles are created from traditional, contemporary and mass culture forms.
Missouri’s American Indian Cultural Center at Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park is excited to host this exhibit, which begins Saturday, April 15, and will be open during normal business hours of 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The exhibition intends to counteract the disappearance of Native American portrayals. It embraces Native Americans’ power to replace stereotypical images that permeate the current pop culture landscape. Recognizing stereotypes often occur without conscious awareness, the exhibition includes didactic information that explores common stereotypes about Native Americans that are falsehoods, followed by the truths behind them. The exhibition’s artists use the unexpected—humor, emotion or shock— to encourage viewers to question and challenge stereotypes, even unspoken, unacknowledged ones.
Originally presented at Tulsa’s 108|Contemporary in 2016, this exhibition is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. A national program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, ExhibitsUSA sends more than 25 exhibitions on tour to more than 100 small- and mid-sized communities every year. These exhibitions create access to an array of arts and humanities experiences, nurture the understanding of diverse cultures and art forms, and encourage the expanding depth and breadth of cultural life in local communities. For more about ExhibitsUSA, email MoreArt@maaa.org or visit eusa.org.
Mid-America Arts Alliance strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, their national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development and strategic grant making. They are especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful and accessible arts and culture programs and services. Mid-America Arts Alliance believes in more art for more people. Additional information is available at maaa.org.
Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park is located 12 miles north of Marshall on Hwy. 122. For more information about the event, call the park office at 660-886-7537.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.