First Peoples - visions of Native America

First Peoples, an art show that gathers 31 traditional and contemporary Native American artists from throughout the western hemisphere into one sprawling gallery, is at once a visual delight, and a journey into the heart of worlds that are not the stuff of fairy tales.

It is both beautiful and edgy. Rooted in tradition, and in today’s reality. Two and three dimensional art, and visual installations that beckon one to contemplate, fill the San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center from end to end.

Since the arrival of Europeans on Turtle Island, the lives of native people have been forever altered. And as in every culture known, art has had a place in the cultural continuity of indigenous nations, recalling in symbols and colors the land, the seasons, the events, the pivotal moments in a personal history.

And art was never something separate from the rest of life’s experiences. It was and remains full of meaning…made with a reason, rich with feelings and impressions, rooted in a landscape, on this plane or in another.

First Peoples has some wonderful examples of fine traditional artwork, and it is richly infused with the tension and struggle of the present.

The show runs from April 4 to April 22 with an opening reception on Saturday, April 8 from 7 to 10 PM, which many of the artists will be attending.

Each piece is accompanied by an in-depth description of the work’s meaning and history. Curator Walter Meyer, with the assistance of Kat High, assembled a collection of art and artists that offers a well rounded look at what it means to be a Native American artist today. And the opening reception will be the best chance to learn what that means from the artists themselves.

Many of the works are available for purchase. Some are treasured family heirlooms. Several will be presented as gifts when the show concludes. For right now, they share a space made richer by their presence, invigorated by both their freshness and their grounding in tradition, their surprising portrayals and their timeless foundation.

San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center is located at 18312 Oxnard Street, Tarzana, CA 91356. The opening reception welcomes everyone.

You can also find the event on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/802031183294043/