The Light Side of the Moon, by Klatle-bhi

It wasn't that many years ago that museums exhibiting Native American art simply put a tribal affiliation card on a piece.  Art work was seldom attributed to an individual.  As the stature of American Indian art has become elevated and more fully respected, museums are recognizing that honoring the art piece also means honoring the artist behind it.

Art galleries, of course, identify their artists and most include biographies. They should do their best to promote and represent the story as well as the person who created the piece. Despite their best intentions, a curator or gallerist still faces limitations when speaking about the artist.  Art can speak for itself, but a life story certainly enhances its value.  For this reason, exhibitions and shows are a critical component for bringing Native American art forward to places and markets beyond the traditional venues, such as the Heard Museum Show, the Santa Fe Indian Market, or the Autry Museum's American Indian Arts Marketplace.

The vision for Raven Makes Gallery includes bringing American Indian and First Nations artists to Central Oregon for shows, and the town of Sisters in particular.  As our second year unfolds as the only 'brick and mortar' gallery in Oregon, we have the Cape Dorset Print release reception and a Zuni show planned for October.

The Arts are thriving in Sisters, Oregon.  Local, diverse and creative talent is on display in our many galleries and studios along Hood Avenue and beyond.  Venture along any street or side-avenue and you'll be pleasantly surprised.  We look forward to your visit!

Last year at this time, Raven Makes Gallery was opening its doors July 1 on Hood Avenue in Sisters, Oregon.  We knew about the world-renowned Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, held the second Saturday in July, but until one has experienced this small community's celebration of the fiber arts, put on with infinite care and class, it's difficult to comprehend. Admittedly, I was rather ignorantly unappreciative about the art and craft of quilting ... until that Saturday of the show.  To put it mildly, it is a mammoth celebration of quilting along with the deep history and story behind it.  For us, instant enlightenment!

Raven Makes Gallery is now one of the "Rising Star Sponsors" for the Quilt Show, and we're reaching out to as many quilters in the Native American community as we can, with the goal of having American Indian artists become part of the exhibition, both this year and in the future. 

American Indians have long been recognized for superb artistry when creating woven baskets, rugs, and blankets.  In fact, the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian (NMAI) has curated one of the largest collections of a particular and rather unknown American Indian art form--the cotton quilt.  Beautiful cultural motifs and stories are reflected in the Native art form, be it the classic star quilt patterns or more elaborate and contemporary designs honoring veterans, cultural images, animals, or plants.

Before the Quilt Show in Sisters, however, it is the 4th of July weekend--a celebration so appropriate for the atmosphere of a small town such as ours. Whether it's a hamburger and shake at the old school Sno-Cap restaurant, watching a summer blockbuster at the friendly Sisters Movie House, or walking a local trail with awesome views of the snow-capped Three Sisters mountains, the long weekend here in Central Oregon should be relaxing, safe, friendly, and restful. 

The third Saturday of July in Sisters will have the Glory Daze classic car show on Main St.  For those old enough to remember, its quite nostalgic, and for those who are younger, it's time to hear a story or two about cars without a back-up camera or Blue-tooth wi-fi!  Perhaps best of all, there are Butterfly, Golden Eagle, and Wildflower hikes led by volunteers of the Deschutes Land Trust throughout the month. 

At Raven Makes Gallery, life during July is about being committed to welcoming visitors and appreciating those who have returned after a year.  It remains fascinating and inspiring to see new interest in Pacific Northwest Coast masks along with stone and wood sculpture.  We welcome the dialogue about what intrigues collectors as we look forward to our winter buying trips. 

So many of us are traveling and exploring this time of the year.  We wish everyone rich experiences and the safest of travels as you pass through the lovely state of Oregon. 

June in the mountains of Oregon, be it the Coastal or Cascade Range, is a time to show gratitude for the moisture and long-lasting snow pack.   Waterfalls are replenished and resonantly pouring; the profusion of flowers, from rhododendrons and lupines to cinquefoils and wild daises, have burst into full bloom.  Spring is a time to clean and refresh our homes, and often a new piece of art or craftwork finds a special place in ones' collection.

Native American Art can particularly enhance our spaces.  Through the use of plant materials in basketry, fine woven wool in textiles, hand-gathered clay in pottery, and Earth pigments in paintings, these works provide an organic and connected feeling to our home and natural spaces.  

Kachina wall dolls speak to the honored seasonal cycles and ceremonies while balancing  an artistic nook or corner. Hand-carved masks of the Pacific Northwest Coastal Peoples remind us to respect and honor the oceans in traditionally powerful ways.  Unique and contemporary paintings or Arctic Inuit prints can add a fresh, even whimsical expression to more time-honored collections of art. 

As the only brick and mortar gallery in Oregon exclusively offering American Indian and Canadian First Nations artwork, we appreciate the opportunity to promote and celebrate the fine art of contemporary Native Americans in a special gallery setting. In order to help visualize this artwork in Central Oregon homes, if requested, we are available to provide consultation regarding the placement of Native American artwork, which groupings would work best for the location being considered, overall design concepts for a room, or even how new pieces might best be displayed to compliment your collection.      

This begins the busy season for our small community of Sisters, Oregon.  We look forward to seeing familiar faces stopping by and getting to meet the wide array of travelers that will also fill the coming days.  Travel safely, and take time to hike a trail for a moment, or a day!