PR Six Navajo Masters

For Immediate Release Press Contact: Sandy Scott [email protected] 770-387-2833 Six Navajo Masters: Abeyta, Begay, Johns, Whitehorse, Whitethorne, & Yazzie Important exhibition of Native American Art to open May, 16 CARTERSVILLE, GA – The newest major exhibition at the Booth Western Art Museum features some of the greatest living Native American artists in the country. The Navajo Nation occupies the largest Indian reservation in the U.S. and is one of the three largest tribal units with over 350,000 registered individuals. The arts are very important to the Navajo people. For centuries they created beautiful works for themselves, and in more recent times for others. Opening on Thursday, May 16, Six Navajo Masters, features the work of Tony Abeyta, Shonto Begay, David Johns, Emi Whitehorse, Baje Whitethorne & Larry Yazzie. Each one is a great artist, yet they each approach their work in different ways and have different definitions of success. The concept for this exhibit was sparked during a members' trip to Arizona when Booth Museum Executive Director Seth Hopkins met now retired gallery owner Peggy Lanning in Sedona. She suggested an exhibition that would highlight the work of great living Navajo artists. Soon after learning Ms. Lanning had sold her gallery, Hopkins recruited her to serve as guest curator. She has faithfully shepherded the project along for over a year. Focusing on the rich cultural and spiritual Navajo traditions, the exhibit effectively highlights the deeply personal messages conveyed by each artist in their unique styles. Tony Abeyta grew up in Gallup, New Mexico, the son of painter Narcisso Abeyta. His work is often abstract, working in mixed media including sand, encaustic wax, and layers of oil paint. Like each of these artists, he values his cultural heritage, reflected in artwork dealing with the spiritual aspects of life. Abeya, Begay and Yazzie are all graduates of the Institute for American Indian Art (IAIA) in Santa Fe. As a child, Shonto Begay was forced to attend a U.S. Government boarding school where the instruction was intended to assimilate Native people into mainstream society and eradicate Native culture. Instead, Shonto became even more committed to honoring the heritage of his people. He uses tiny repetitive brush strokes in images reflecting heartfelt childhood memories and the constant struggle for balance and harmony between humankind and the earth. A versatile artist, known for his abstract paintings, portraits, and work as a muralist, David Johns grew up on the Navajo reservation. Respecting Navajo philosophy, stories, and symbolism, he dreams and meditates until an idea for his artwork evolves. His work, like the others in the exhibition, is included in numerous museum and high profile private collections. Emmi Whitehorse is the lone female represented in the exhibit. Like Begay and Whitethorne, she was also sent to a government boarding school. While there, she demonstrated an early fascination for drawing horses. She is now known for serene dream-like abstract images, often with symbolic meanings of her culture embedded in the seemingly random compositions. MORE

Page two, Six Navajo Masters Like Abeyta and Begay, Baje Whitethorne, Sr. had art in his blood. His mother was an artist, an expert rug weaver, and he was sketching horses by age five. After time spent in a government boarding school, he didn't pursue art until later in life. In 1986, while working as a nuclear reactor tester, he rejected an offer to relocate to Argentina to become a full time artist. Larry Yazzie is the only sculptor represented in the exhibit. He often depicts Native People using Italian Carrarra marble, the same stone artists have used for centuries. He doesn't work from sketches, but rather lets his creativity flow freely and allows the stone direct him. He believes we are all spiritual beings and connecting with our spiritual side makes us capable of creating wonderful things. The artists will be on hand for a members –only opening event on May 16, including a gallery walk at 5:00 p.m., a reception at 6:00 and panel discussion at 7:00. The public will have the chance to meet the artists the following morning during a meet and greet in the gallery from 10:00 to 12:00. This program is free for members and included with regular admission. For additional information on the exhibition and activities surrounding Six Navajo Masters: Abeyta, Begay, Johns, Whitehorse, Whitethorne, & Yazzie at Booth Museum, contact the marketing department at (770) 387-2833 or [email protected]. About Booth Western Art Museum Booth Western Art Museum, an Affiliate to the Smithsonian Institution, is a 120,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville, Georgia, where guests are invited to See America’s Story through contemporary Western artwork, a Presidential Gallery, Civil War art gallery, and Sagebrush Ranch, an interactive children’s gallery. Open since August 2003, Booth Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Southeast and was named the 2016 Escape to the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year from the Southeast Tourism Society. To learn more about Booth Western Art Museum, visit www.boothmuseum.org. Museum Directions Booth 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 business district – approximately 2.2 miles. Turn right on Gilmer Street, travel two blocks under the bridge and the Museum is on the left. Free parking is available in the Tabernacle Baptist Church parking lot on Gilmer Street, across from the Museum entrance. MORE

Page three, Six Navaho Masters Museum Hours Tuesday, 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. Admission Adult: $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 admission for all immediate family members of the active duty person); Booth Museum Members: Free; First Thursday of each month: Free admission for all between 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. ###