Exhibits
July 12, 2022 through October 31, 2022
Emely McConkey and Maria Martinez, Curators
The PLEIN Truth
To paint “en plein air” (a French term for “open air” from the 19th century) is the act of painting outdoors. The term intends a distinction from studio painting which can have a much more finished or academic feel. Plein air painting time is often constricted by the time of the day, and the movement of the sun. It is a race against the changing shadows. It is a challenge to the senses and to the artist’s ability to capture the essence of what lies before her.
This exhibit, The PLEIN Truth, captures the challenges met by an array of artist members of the Sonoran Plein Air Painters (SPAP) based in southern Arizona. This group shares the joys and anguish of “chasing shadows,” shares techniques and ideas, and raises the skill levels of its members through group PaintOuts, workshops, demonstrations, and encouragement.
July 10, 2022 through May 10, 2023
Randy Kemp, Maria Martinez, and John Miller, Curators
Transformation, Spirituality, and Humor
I chose to exhibit a series of paintings, mixed media, found objects, and printmaking processes, as a sort of retrospective to the present. Some pieces cover the theme of “Transformation” depicting a partly-human and raven (bird) emergence, “When Raven becomes a Man.” Connected to mythology or folklore, this story is along the lines of “Trickster” and “Deer Woman” from our Native American cultural storytelling.
The “Spirituality” works promote the human behavior of prayer in life and death. The belief in something greater (Creator) or what lies in the afterlife in the spiritual realms. And finally, Indigenous peoples’ disposition has always advocated for “Humor” as a way of healing, fostering good living, and/or state of mind. Particularly, with a history of difficult hurdles to overcome while continuing to change narratives of competing perspectives. These works explore the different art disciplines from painting to printmaking to capture the strength of the message.
I hope these art pieces convey the stories, interests and give insights to Indigenous issues, themes and views. – Randy Kemp, 2022
April 19, 2022 through April 16, 2023
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
Raíces (Roots)
Amerind is proud to announce a new collaborative exhibition entitled Raíces (Roots). Sixteen artists from Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop have combined their talent and vision for a new and visually stunning exhibition. In this deeply personal show, the artists were asked to contribute artworks inspired by their roots. The exhibit they have created is grounded in family and community.
Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop, a nonprofit arts organization headquartered in Tucson, brings together established and emerging artists with deep roots in southern Arizona. For over twenty-five years, their organization has brought together very diverse people from our community to help to create a better understanding of our community’s cultures and customs through the arts. Learn more about the Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop artist collective at www.raicestaller222.com.
Permanent Exhibit
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
American Art Form: A Century of A:shiwi (Zuni) and Diné (Navajo) Jewelry
Zuni and Navajo jewelers create some of the most distinctive and beautiful jewelry in the world. Amerind is the proud home of a newly donated jewelry collection built over three generations, from the late nineteenth to the late twentieth century, which includes thousands of pieces by hundreds of artists. This exhibit showcases the history and development of this jewelry and the artists who made these remarkable pieces and put their art form on the world stage.
Permanent Exhibit
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
Without Borders: The Deep History of Paquimé (Bilingual Exhibit)
Visitors can walk through this exhibit, inspired by the architecture of Paquimé, and explore sixty years of research in Chihuahua, Mexico. Paquimé was one of the most socially, politically, and ceremonially important towns in the region. It grew into a leading community in northern Mexico in the late AD 1200s and flourished through the end of the AD 1400s. Home to some of the most remarkable architecture, civil engineering, and ceramic artistry in the region—the ancient town has been designed by the United Nations as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Partially funded by Arizona Humanities, The Robert J. Wick Family Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.
Permanent Exhibit
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
Fleet of Foot: Indigenous Running and Games from Ancient Times to Today
Among all the people of the world, running and games are universal. Across cultures and traditions, sports and running are universal activities that can help us relate to one another. In the differences among our sports practices, we gain new insights into the ways of other communities. This exhibit considers running and running sports among the Indigenous communities of the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico. Partially funded by Arizona Humanities.
Permanent Exhibit
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
Indigenous Water/Ways
The Indigenous peoples of the southwestern US and northwestern Mexico treasure water in all its forms. This exhibit showcases Amerind pottery, baskets, jewelry, weavings, wood, shell, and antler carvings with water designs and motfis.Visitors will also learn about the way Indigenous farmers used water and engineered the land to nourish their crops.
Permanent Exhibit
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
A Singular Treasure: The Katsikodi Story Robe
Visitors can view an elk hide painted with scenes of hunters, singers, and dancers, created by the Eastern Shoshone artist Katsikodi. He is believed to have been born inthe 1860s and passed away around 1912. Over 20 of his distinctive painted robes have survived the forces of history, largely now preserved in museum collections like Amerind’s. Friends of Western Art supported the conservation of this elk hide.
Permanent Exhibit
Eric Kaldahl, Curator
Ma Fulton’s FF Ranch
Amerind’s founders Rose Hayden Fulton (1881-1968) and William Shirley Fulton (1880-1964) moved to Arizona in 1930. Mrs. Fulton, affectionately known as Ma Fulton, had a ranch operation where she raised and trained some of the finest quarter horses in the United States. Photographs of her horses, ranch hands, and operations are on exhibit along with her prize winning ribbons and trophies.
Permanent Exhibit
Charles Di Peso, Anne Woosley, Allan McIntyre, John Ware, Carol Charnley, and Eric Kaldahl, Curators
The Pine Study
The Pine Study was installed on the occasion of Mr. Fulton’s 80th birthday in the year 1960. The wood paneling and furnishings came from the Fulton family home in Connecticut. Many of Mr. Fulton’s personal effects are found in this exhibit. The paintings on the wall were done by family members and friends. The Pine Study served as Mr. Fulton’s office for the last years of his life.
Permanent Exhibit
John Ware and Carol Charnley, Curators
Images in Time
Built in 1939, the museum building’s main gallery houses artistic treasures created by Indigenous artists from the Arctic to Mexico. Many of the pieces were made during the late nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. Visitors will learn about the amazing diversity of Indigenous cultures found throughout North America.
Permanent Exhibit
John Ware and Carol Charnley, Curators
Apache People and History
The Chiricahua Apache people’s history in southeastern Arizona is rich and complex. Visitors will have an overview of the many Indigenous groups who speak the Apache language, and learn about the history of the Chiricahua Apache people specifically.
Permanent Exhibit
John Ware, Curator
Indigenous Dolls
In the museum building entryway, your little ones will find a great selection of Indigenous dolls, lovingly made by parents and grandparents from all across America.
Permanent Exhibit
Carol Charnley and Ron Bridgemon, Jr., Curators
The Potters of Mata Ortiz
Potters from the Mexican town of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, Mexico, were inspired by the ancient potters of Paquimé creating beautiful reproductions of that ancient craft. They then began new pottery traditions with finely painted and incised pottery in new shapes and styles. This exhibit shows how these potters are inspired by the past, but are creating new traditions for the future.
Permanent Exhibit
Carol Charnley, Curator
Diné Arts
Known for their weaving and silver work, Diné woven rugs, weaving tools, silversmithing tools, and other arts are found at several locations on the museum’s second floor.
Permanent Exhibit
Anne Woosley and Allan McIntyre, Curators
Hallway of Time
Connecting the 1939 and 1950 wings of the Amerind museum building, this hallway lets visitors peer into the archaeology of the American Southwest. Visitors will learn about the most ancient human tools found in Arizona used some 13,000 years ago. Here to people will learn about the most well studied farming cultures of the America Southwest: Huhugam (Hohokam), Mogollon, and Ancestral Pueblo peoples. These farming communities flourished some two thousand years and their descendants still call this region home.
Permanent Exhibit
Anne Woosley and Allan McIntyre, Curators
Spanish Colonial and Mexican Religious Art
Amerind sits on land that Indigenous people have called home for 13,000 years. In historic times, the governments of Spain, Mexico, and the United States have exercised their sovereignty over the region. This exhibit displays the religious arts of colonial Spain, Mexico, and more contemporary pieces rooted in the Spanish colonial tradition.
Permanent Exhibit
Anne Woosley and Allan McIntyre, Curators
North American Indigenous Arts
The Amerind is home to the arts of Indigenous people from across North America. Now on exhibit are examples of cradleboards from many Indigenous communities. These cradleboards show the love and care of their makers for their children. Also on exhibit are personal accessories and clothing adorned with porcupine quillwork and beadwork.
Permanent Exhibit
Anne Woosley and Allan McIntyre, Curators
Yesterday's Amerind
This small enclosed room gives visitors of sense of Amerind museum history. From 1936 until the 1980s, the Amerind was closed to the public. To see its private collections, visitors had to call for an appointment. This exhibit gives today’s visitors a sense of how Amerind’s collection was displayed in the early years of our museum’s history.
Permanent Exhibit
Hopi Katsina Carvings and Hopi Plaques
