Medicine Lodge Art Exhibition and Lecture Series To Benefit LifeSource International

[Submitted Announcement]

Join featured artists Jay Benham and John Well-Off-Man, Kiowa Tribe Elder Tom Tonemah and Dr. Bill Wiggins at Ultra Studios (118 W. South Street in South Fayetteville, Arkansas) in celebration of the rich history and captivating culture of the Southern Plains Native American tribes who signed the Medicine Lodge Treaty in 1867.

Admission: Donation of cash in any amount, toys, clothing or non-perishable food items for Lifesource International.*

Art Exhibition & Lecture Series
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Open 11a-7p

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
Open 11a-7p

3p “History of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma,” Speaker: Tom Tonemah
4p “The Artists, Collectors and Collecting Native American Art,” Speaker: Dr. Bill Wiggins
Dr. Wiggins will discuss how to collect, what to expect at a major market or gallery and the relationship between an Artist and a Collector.
5-7p ARTISTS’ RECEPTION*

Sunday, July 24th, 2011
Open 1-5p

*100% of proceeds from admissions, plus 30% of boutique sales during the Artists’ Reception and 30% of all Medicine Lodge art sales will benefit Lifesource International.

Jay Benham earned a B.S.E. from Henderson State University and M.A. in Art Education from Northern Arizona University. As an artist, Benham strives to tell the Kiowa story of the people’s transition from a nomadic existence to the imposition of the Dawn Act when they became successful farmers in modern society. In his drawings and paintings, Benham concentrates on applying good Kiowa color and assigning interesting placement of the subject matter.

John Well-Off-Man, a member of the Chippewa-Cree tribe, was born and raised in Havre, Montana, on the Rocky Boy Reservation. He earned a B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Montana and M.A. in Fine Arts, Integrated Arts and Education from UM’s Creative Pulse Program. His pieces of art are exhibited nationally and internationally and are included in the permanent collection of the Montana Museum of Art & Culture at The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana and the Westphalian State Museum of Natural History in Münster, Germany. He has a printmaking studio in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Tom Tonemah, a Kiowa Elder, was born and raised around Mountain View, Oklahoma. His grandfather was Yellow Man Tonemah, and he is a direct descendant of Red Otter Apiatan.

Dr. Bill Wiggins is a long-time collector of art by Native American, Canadian Aboriginal and Inuit artists. His interest in Native American arts dates to the 1970’s. Bill’s collection of approximately 2,400 pieces today is part of the Sequoyah National Research Center located on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s campus in Little Rock, AR. A Ph.D. Chemist, Wiggins was associated with the University for 32 years, retiring in 2002 as Dean of the College of Sciences & Mathematics.

Make a Difference
The Medicine Lodge Art Exhibition and Lecture Series will benefit Ultra Studios’ S. Fayetteville neighbor, non-profit organization LifeSource International. LifeSource helps families in stress by assisting them through such programs and services as: Food Storehouse, Counseling Services, Kids Life Programs, Educational Services, Senior Saturdays and Medical Clinic.

Our goal is to make a difference both now and for generations to come. Through participating in Medicine Lodge, we can help LifeSource Interntional help families in stress with assistance through customized services and programs.

How to Get Involved
Make a cash donation (any amount) or drop off your donation items July 22-24 at Ultra Studios, and enjoy the Medicine Lodge Art Exhibition!

All donations and 30% of proceeds from art purchases will benefit families in need through LifeSource International.

Maximize Impact
When you shop our women’s and men’s clothing and accessories at Ultra Studios on Saturday, July 23rd, from 5-7p, 30% of ALL your boutique purchases count as charitable contributions.

RSVP on Facebook.

Thank you!