This just in! Click below to watch this video message from Congressman Kaiali'i Kahele of Hawaii!
He heard about our exhibition and wanted to express support!
He heard about our exhibition and wanted to express support!
Aware is a new annual exhibition that brings history, cultural diversity and the community together through art!
Aware '22 is focused on indigenous communities of the past, present and future.
Aware '22 has several events and components for the community, and we hope you'll participate in all of them!
Nov. 1-2: Installation of The Feather Project, an immersive art installation with contributions from around the US.
Nov. 4, 6-8 pm: Land Recognition and Connection with Local Indigenous Communities, Guest Speaker Nikki Bass from the Nansemond Indian Nation
Nov 4-13: Aware '22 Exhibition featuring contemporary art honoring local Native American culture
Nov. 13, 2-4 pm: Guest Speaker Joanne Faulkner, followed by Artist Talks, Joanne Faulkner will speak about her family's experience with the Indian Boarding school program, followed by an informal conversation with artists who entered the show and community members who submitted feathers for The Feather Project
Aware '22 is focused on indigenous communities of the past, present and future.
- Do you know the history of the land where your home is located?
- Do you know the sovereign Tribal nations living and thriving in our region?
- Do you know the history and devastation of the US Indian Boarding School program?
Aware '22 has several events and components for the community, and we hope you'll participate in all of them!
Nov. 1-2: Installation of The Feather Project, an immersive art installation with contributions from around the US.
Nov. 4, 6-8 pm: Land Recognition and Connection with Local Indigenous Communities, Guest Speaker Nikki Bass from the Nansemond Indian Nation
Nov 4-13: Aware '22 Exhibition featuring contemporary art honoring local Native American culture
Nov. 13, 2-4 pm: Guest Speaker Joanne Faulkner, followed by Artist Talks, Joanne Faulkner will speak about her family's experience with the Indian Boarding school program, followed by an informal conversation with artists who entered the show and community members who submitted feathers for The Feather Project
The Feather Project:
The Feather Project is a community art project designed to bring awareness to the tragedy of the Indian Boarding Schools run by the federal government for almost 200 years. Both artists and non-artists have contributed to this community-based art installation. Over 2500 hand-made feathers will be suspended from the ceiling of the Brock Gallery.
The Feather Project is a community art project designed to bring awareness to the tragedy of the Indian Boarding Schools run by the federal government for almost 200 years. Both artists and non-artists have contributed to this community-based art installation. Over 2500 hand-made feathers will be suspended from the ceiling of the Brock Gallery.
The Aware '22 Exhibition:
Artists are contributing artworks that explore and celebrate Native American culture as it relates to our region.
Artists are contributing artworks that explore and celebrate Native American culture as it relates to our region.
TURN YOUR AWARENESS INTO ACTION!
There is legislation moving through both the House and the Senate RIGHT NOW!
Write to your senators and representatives with support for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US Act (S.2907 and HR.5444)
Use these websites to look up your senators and representative (Look up Senator / Look up Representative). Use the contact forms on their websites to urge their support of this legislation. You can copy and paste this message, embellish it with a personal story, or write your own.
Dear Senator/Representative ________,
I am writing to express support for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US Act (S.2907 and HR.5444). This is important legislation that is long overdue. I trust as my representative that you will vote in favor of this Act, and do what you can to help ensure that this legislation passes.
Most sincerely,
_____________
There is legislation moving through both the House and the Senate RIGHT NOW!
Write to your senators and representatives with support for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US Act (S.2907 and HR.5444)
Use these websites to look up your senators and representative (Look up Senator / Look up Representative). Use the contact forms on their websites to urge their support of this legislation. You can copy and paste this message, embellish it with a personal story, or write your own.
Dear Senator/Representative ________,
I am writing to express support for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the US Act (S.2907 and HR.5444). This is important legislation that is long overdue. I trust as my representative that you will vote in favor of this Act, and do what you can to help ensure that this legislation passes.
Most sincerely,
_____________
Why this topic in 2022?
About a year ago, the Art Center staff considered creating a special exhibition that would use ART to bring attention and awareness to a particular cultural group or social concern. At about that same time, artist Maggie Kerrigan was creating an artwork, Their Tender Hearts, in response to her learning about the Indian Boarding School program that was run by the US government.
Maggie's research led her to find The National Native American Boarding School (NABS) Healing Coalition and to further learning about the history and abuses that occurred in the schools. The idea for The Feather Project came to her as a way to involve the community and raise awareness. The feathers are meant to represent the lost children, and the lost generations, as a result of the boarding school program.
About a year ago, the Art Center staff considered creating a special exhibition that would use ART to bring attention and awareness to a particular cultural group or social concern. At about that same time, artist Maggie Kerrigan was creating an artwork, Their Tender Hearts, in response to her learning about the Indian Boarding School program that was run by the US government.
Maggie's research led her to find The National Native American Boarding School (NABS) Healing Coalition and to further learning about the history and abuses that occurred in the schools. The idea for The Feather Project came to her as a way to involve the community and raise awareness. The feathers are meant to represent the lost children, and the lost generations, as a result of the boarding school program.
Concept drawing for The Feather Project
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Their Tender Hearts, by Maggie Kerrigan
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This is a very timely effort. The NABS Healing Coalition has been working for years to promote truth, healing and justice for survivors of the boarding schools. The Secretary of the Interior released a report on May 11, 2022 as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. Legislation is currently moving through both the House and the Senate--the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Board School Policies in the U.S. Act. Canada has already passed a similar act and has issued a formal apology. The Pope made a visit to Canada in July 2022 to apologize for the Church's role in running the boarding schools there. For change to happen and healing to begin, more people need to know.
Art is one way to shed light on social concerns, create empathy, and inspire connection. We hope this project promotes awareness and encourages healing as we come together to acknowledge our past and shape a more just future.