By Her Hand Exhibition

For Immediate Release Press Contact: Tom Shinall, TMP Director of Marketing [email protected] 770-387-1300 BY HER HAND: NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN, THEIR ART, AND THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF EDWARD S. CURTISGroundbreaking exhibition set to open at Booth Western Art Museum on August 20, 2016CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA – Beginning August 20 visitors to Booth Western Art Museum will becaptivated by the compelling and iconic photographs of Edward S. Curtis artfully displayed with Nativeobjects in this groundbreaking exhibition. The photographs are drawn from Christopher Cardozo'sunparalleled personal collection of over 4,000 original Curtis prints. In this unique exhibit, co-curated byEric and Lynda Sermon, classic Curtis photographs of Native women and children are combined withbeautiful and evocative objects created by Native women on loan from three private collections from themetro-Atlanta area. Seldom before have fine art photographs and traditional Native objects beenexhibited together, resulting in such beautiful and unexpected synergy. By Her Hand: Native AmericanWomen, Their Art, and The Photographs of Edward S. Curtis will be on display in the Booth’s SpecialExhibition Gallery August 20 through November 20, 2016.“We are thrilled to open a truly unique exhibition, pairing the photographs of Edward S. Curtis with NativeAmerican objects,” said Seth Hopkins, Booth Museum Executive Director. “The Curtis images are drawnfrom the incomparable collection of Christopher Cardozo, while the objects have been drawn from Atlantaarea collectors. Exhibition co-curators Eric and Lynda Sermon have done a masterful job selectingobjects and helping design the gallery to highlight both the amazing photographs and exquisite objects.This is the first stop on a national tour for the photographs in the exhibition and will be a noteworthyexhibition within the Western art world.”Edward S. Curtis began his photographic career as a young boy when he constructed his first camerafrom simple components. As his confidence and ability grew, he opened a studio in Seattle, WA; andalthough it paid his bills, he found this type of photography boring. On photographic outings, he becameincreasingly fascinated with the various Native Americans that he encountered. By winning nationalprizes, his early photographs of these local tribal members helped solidify his artistic ability and establishhis prominence as a photographer. His portrait style is said to give the viewer a glimpse into the soul ofthe subject. MORE

Page two, By Her HandCurtis continually yearned to get out of the studio and find adventure. Through a number of advantageouscontacts, Curtis was able to act as chief photographer on an expedition to Alaska. Upon his return, hebegan to clarify his “destiny”. He felt compelled to chronicle the lives of what he believed to be adisappearing Native American lifestyle. In 1900, Curtis traveled to Arizona and the Southwest tophotograph native people of that territory. Gradually, he gave up his studio and spent all of his time in thefield. Promising to go beyond photography, Curtis proposed a massive 20 volume ethnographic study,documenting and recording all forms of tribal customs, spiritual beliefs, music, crafts and lifestyles. Hereceived funding from J.P. Morgan and worked on the project for the next 20 years, an ambitiousundertaking that cost him his wife, his own money, and, on many occasions, nearly his life.As he continued his work, he proved himself mistaken in his assumption that Native people were dyingout and disappearing. Instead, he often discovered and presented a vibrant Native American culturesteeped in tradition and ancestral values. He spent 20 years living among over 80 different tribes,listening to their myths, recording their songs and faithfully documenting their tribal traditions. Hephotographed chiefs and mighty warriors, while also developing an appreciation for Native Americanwomen and their role in tribal society. His photographs of these women capture the strength and skillsneeded to survive a natural environment that was harsh and grueling.Edward Curtis changed the way an entire nation viewed their Native people. He created an irreplaceablerecord of who these people were, how they lived and what they believed in.Through their art, Native American women express a cultural and ancestral identity that binds their peopletogether. In observing their art, one is amazed by the usefulness, beauty and spiritual nature of eachpiece created. The everyday crafts - pottery making, basketry, beaded clothing and rug weaving - expresstribal identities both deep and rich. Repeated forms, dazzling colors, and patterns tell stories of tribaltraditions.These crafts, usually taught mother to daughter, display in a visual sense, the connectedness andspirituality that tribal members feel. The crafted forms, the colors and patterns are all familiar andexpected, providing Native Americans with a sense of time. It allows them to link the past with thepresent, which in turn presents a positive sense of direction for the future. MORE

Page three, By Her HandCurtis, in his quest for adventure, ultimately left his legacy in the over 40,000 photographs that helpedcomprise his 20 volume set of ethnological studies. This set of books has recently been reprinted and canbe studied in the Booth Museum Research Library.The sheer magnitude and genius of his work is reflected in the fact that his work has been exhibited inover 100 venues in over 40 countries in the last 15 years alone. Today, his haunting and iconic imageshave as much impact and currency as they did 100 years ago.On Saturday, August 20, Booth Museum will host An Evening for Adults inviting Booth MuseumMembers and guests to be the first to view By Her Hand: Native American Women, Their Art, and ThePhotographs of Edward S. Curtis. At 4:00 pm, Collectors Eric and Lynda Sermon will lead a gallerywalk through the exhibition and discuss selected works. At 5:00 pm, head to the Atrium for a chili bar anddrinks featuring wine and craft brews. Enjoy live entertainment from special musical guests LittleCountry Giants. At 7:00 pm in Bergman Theatre, we will take an in-depth look into the creation of thisexhibition with a panel discussion featuring the Sermons and Brett Abbott, Curator of Photography at theHigh Museum in Atlanta. Following the panel discussion, indulge in the coffee and dessert bar. Wear yourWestern wear, meet Booth Museum Executive Director Seth Hopkins, and take advantage of a double-discount in the Booth Store (on most items)! An Evening for Adults is free for Booth Museum Members.Tickets for not-yet-members are $25 plus tax. Must be 21 years of age or older. Tickets can be purchasedby calling 770-387-1300, or visiting the Museum.For more information on By Her Hand: Native American Women, Their Art, and The Photographs ofEdward S. Curtis contact the Museum at 770-387-1300 or visit www.boothmuseum.org.About Booth Western Art MuseumBooth Western Art Museum, an Affiliate to the Smithsonian Institution, is a 120,000 square foot museumlocated in Cartersville, Georgia, where guests are invited to See America’s Story through contemporaryWestern artwork, a Presidential Gallery, Civil War art gallery, and Sagebrush Ranch, an interactivechildren’s gallery. Open since August 2003, Booth Museum is the only museum of its kind in theSoutheast and is the second largest art museum in the state of Georgia. To learn more about BoothWestern Art Museum, visit www.boothmuseum.org. ###