Great Plains Art Museum hosts plains Indian beadwork exhibition

Released on 06/09/2009, at 12:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHERE: Great Plains Art Museum

Lincoln, Neb., June 9th, 2009 —
Arapaho moccasins, courtesy University of Nebraska State Museum
Arapaho moccasins, courtesy University of Nebraska State Museum

Great Plains Art Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln presents an exhibition highlighting the beautiful design, technical artistry and historical relevance of American Plains Native beadwork. "The History and Artistry of Plains Indian Beadwork" continues through Aug. 30. The exhibition features paintings and sculptures from the Great Plains Art Museum permanent collection, ethnographic examples from the University of Nebraska State Museum, and works from contemporary plains Indian beadwork artisan and UNL assistant professor Mark Awakuni-Swetland.

Plains beadwork encompasses the relationships of technique, design, color and dimension. Some of the most beautiful and diverse examples of Native American beadwork comes from the tribes of the Great Plains. Historic tribal beadwork was affected by tradition, society, art, religion, economic conditions, environment and influences from other cultures. Native American beadwork remains a strong and living tradition.

There will be stations for adult and youth visitors to experiment with some of the beading techniques illustrated in the exhibition.

The Great Plains Art Museum is located at 1155 Q St. in the Hewit Place building. Admission is free and hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays, in between exhibitions, and on university holidays.

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