An artistic heritage: American Indian art highlighted at River Campus

This month the Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus is highlighting American Indian heritage with an exhibit by mother and son artists.

The "Tribal Diversity" exhibit features the work of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and her son Neal Ambrose-Smith.

Quick-to-See Smith is a renowned American Indian artist with more than 100 solo exhibits during the past 40 years. She has organized more than 30 American Indian exhibitions and has lectured at more than 200 universities, museums and conferences around the world.

The Mid America Print Council is hosting its Biennial Conference at Southeast Missouri State University this year and chose Quick-to-See Smith as the keynote speaker. She will speak at 9 p.m. today in the Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus for the printmaking conference. The Crisp Museum hosts an opening reception for the exhibit from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Crisp Museum director Peter Nguyen said he had already chosen to exhibit Quick-to-See Smith and Ambrose-Smith when the MAPC chose Quick-to-See Smith as the speaker.

Artwork by Juane Quick-to-See Smith and her son Neal Ambrose-Smith is on display in the Rosemary Berkel and Harry L. Crisp Museum at the River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University. (Laura Simon)

"I knew of Jaune's work for a while now and had admired her work for a long time, and I was able to meet with her to discuss an exhibition of her work at the museum," Nguyen said.

Nguyen said Quick-to-See Smith and Ambrose Smith cover similar ideas in terms of Native America issues and culture.

"Neal's work, he is a little more experimental in the techniques that he uses for his prints, so when people come to actually see the exhibition they can see the difference in each of the styles by either Jaune or Neal," Nguyen said. "Jaune's work is a little bit more, I would say, traditional in terms of the techniques that are used. She does experiment, but probably not to the extent that her son does. People will have to come and take a look and they will definitely be able to see the difference."

"Tribal Diversity" will be at the Crisp Museum through Jan. 27. The mother and son artists also scheduled workshops for art teachers and students at the museum today.

November is Native American Heritage Month, which Nguyen said also played a part in his choice for the "Tribal Diversity" exhibit.

A piece by Juane Quick-to-See Smith

The museum will host a free Family Day from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, focusing on American Indian culture. All ages are welcome at the "Journey through the Seasons" themed afternoon, which will include food tasting, hands-on activities and regalia demonstrations.

The Crisp Museum is in the Cultural Arts Center at Southeast's River Campus. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. on weekends. For more information, call 651-2260 or email museum@semo.edu.

Want to go?

What: First Friday opening reception

When: 4 to 8 p.m. today

Where: Crisp Museum

Info: 651-2260

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO