Zoë Urness - Keeping the Traditions Alive

For Immediate Release Press Contact: Tom Shinall, TMP Director of Marketing [email protected] 770-387-2833 KEEPING THE TRADITIONS ALIVE AT THE BOOTH MUSEUMTlingit Native artist Zoe Urness’ photographs will begin a six month stay this NovemberCARTERSVILLE, GA - Zoë Marieh Urness is an Alaskan Tlingit and Cherokee Native American in herearly thirties who is uses her art to help preserve the traditions of indigenous people. Her photographyportrays modern Natives in traditional regalia, serving to connect the old ways to the modern-day realitiesof the Native World. Her images seem to say, “We are here. And we are thriving, through our traditions.”Urness’ unique style combining documentary and fine art photography reflect the ancestral strength of hersubjects.Urness’ love of photography started at a very young age and followed her through her time at the BrooksInstitute of Photography, where she graduated in 2008. Urness freelanced in Santa Barbara and Seattlebefore moving to Santa Fe. In 2014, she created a Kickstarter campaign with an emphasis on preservingthe traditions of indigenous people through still imagery. “I decided that I wanted to do something thatultimately comes from the heart,” Urness stated back in 2014. Gaining traction largely through word ofmouth, the project blossomed into a communal effort unconstrained by tribe or boarders. Urness’ hasbeen able to photograph various tribes through the heart of the United States, including Navajo,Cheyenne, Sioux, and Lakota. Her long term goal for the project is to share these images beyond thenative community, she stated, “I hope to share my project with all people to encourage understanding andappreciation for the culture, customs, and history of our first people.”She developed a whole new twist on photography when she traveled to Standing Rock, ND during thepipeline dispute between Native Americans and the United States government. There on December 5,2016 outside of Oceti Sakowin Camp on the edge of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, Urnesscaptured the image of military veterans marching in support of the water protectors through a snow storm.The entirely white background allows for hints of color to come alive off the image. Urness stated, “I wentup there not knowing what my role would be. But, as long as my camera was in my hand, it led me to theright places.”After Standing Rock, she returned to Santa Fe and with Navajo artist, Lehi Thunder Voice Eagle, openedZohi Gallery. MORE

Zoe Urness, page 2The gallery was designed to be a “cultural hub” for Native artists and celebrated its grand opening onAugust 18th.Zoë Urness has shown abroad in the United Kingdom and has made show appearances at Photo L.A.,the Heard Market, and Native Treasures. In 2016 she made her second appearance on the plaza atSanta Fe Indian Market, where she again won a blue ribbon in her category and added a second ribbonfor best in division. The Autry Museum Indian Market recognized Zoe’s recent image, Keeping TraditionsAlive, best in her division.Booth Museum Members and guests are invited to attend the exhibition opening and be among the first toview Zoe Urness: Keeping the Traditions Alive on Thursday November 16, 2017. Zoe Urness andMary Margaret Cornwell, Curator of Photography, will conduct a gallery walk at 5:00 pm in the PicturingAmerica Gallery. A Meet the Artist Reception with refreshments will be served in the Atrium beginning at6:00 pm. At 7:00 pm in Berman Theatre, Booth Museum Members and guests are invited to hear ZoeUrness discuss her journey through this project and upcoming interests.For additional information on the exhibition and activities surrounding Zoe Urness at Booth Museum,contact Director of Marketing Tom Shinall, (770) 387-2833 or [email protected]. Zoe Urness:Keeping the Traditions Alive, November 16, 2017 – May 27, 2018 in the Picturing America Gallery atBooth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, GA.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 was named the 2016 Escape to the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year from theSoutheast Tourism Society. To learn more about Booth Western Art Museum, visitwww.boothmuseum.org.Museum DirectionsBooth Western Art Museum is located at 501 N. Museum Drive, Cartersville, GA 30120. Take I-75 to exit#288 – Main Street, Cartersville. Head West. Follow Main Street (Highway #113 / #61) into the businessdistrict – approximately 2.2 miles. Turn right on Gilmer Street, travel two blocks under the bridge and theMuseum is on the left. Free parking is available in the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot on GilmerStreet, across from the Museum entrance. MORE

Zoe Urness, page 3Museum HoursTuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Thursday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm.Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Closed Mondays, New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.AdmissionAdult: $12 plus tax; Senior (65+): $10 plus tax; Student (with ID): $9 plus tax; Child (12 and under): Free(accompanied by parent or guardian); Active Military Personnel (with ID): Free (½ price regular admissionfor all immediate family members of the active duty person); Booth Museum Members: Free; FirstThursday of each month: Free admission for all between 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. ###