Native artists featured
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — A woven birchbark bag, paintings and collage pieces drew people into the Sandpiper Gallery for the “North, South, East and Wood,” a Native American invitational show.
Local wood artist Dion Albert brought his birchbark work, from baskets to bags to room divider panels.
One screen is birchbark that hasn’t been flattened. Albert said if it’s misted, moss will grow in the natural crevices and depressions.
Sierra Pete, Ben Pease and Louis Still Smoking showed paintings and some mixed media work.
Pease has been exhibiting as much as he can, but he’s pursuing a fine arts degree at Montana State University in Bozeman so he’s busy.
“Everything I do is saying something,” Pease said. “From an activism standpoint, I want to get people to ask questions.”
For instance, Pease exhibited his paintings of John Lennon and Audrey Hepburn that are conversation starters.
Sierra Pete is a sundancer, and many of her pieces reflect this. A sundance takes four days during which participants fast and go without water, although they are given medicinal teas, according to Linda Pete, Sierra’s mom.
The sundance chief helps the dancers and tells them to focus — so one painting’s title means unfocused, while another sharp and clear painting’s title means focused.
Sierra’s boyfriend’s family has a gift wrapping challenge each year, and Sierra found she loved working with paper, Linda said. Three of her pieces are collages on the sundance theme.
The show will continue until April 4. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Sandpiper is located at 306 Main Street.
