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By John Maruskin

Contributing Columnist

Kentucky Native American Art Show and Poetry Reading by Marie Parsons

August is Local History Month at the Clark County Public Library.  This year, the Library celebrates Local History Month with an art exhibit: “Native Reflections: Visual Art by American Indians of Kentucky,” on display from Monday, August 3 through Monday, August 30. 

Twelve Kentuckians who identify as American Indians of either enrolled tribal membership or unenrolled but native inspired individuals created the 23 works in the show.  A panel of American Indian artists and members of the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission selected the works. Helen Danser, Chairwoman of the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission and Michelle Banks of the Kentucky Indigenous Peoples Council were instrumental in making this Library exhibit possible.  As was Mark Brown, Folk and Traditional Arts Director of the Kentucky Arts Council. 

Colorfully rendered and beautifully crafted paintings, wood carvings, ceremonial flutes, and painted gourds make up the show and evoke Native Kentuckian’s perspective on their culture, heritage, and place in contemporary society.  This art allows us to understand the vision of Native Kentuckians who are usually forgotten or misrepresented in local history narratives.

Native Reflections is made possible by funding from the Kentucky Arts Council,

the state arts agency, which fosters exhibits and performances that help Kentuckians value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Make it a point to see Native Reflections when you come to the Library in August.  

The dog days of summer are here.  A great time of year to read a Chet and Bernie mystery.  The latest, “Tender is the Bite,” is available in the Library’s new book section. (Mystery F Quin)

Make the dog days less serious (pun, get it?) by visiting the Clark County Public Library.