“Providing a platform for Indigenous voices from across the nation is work that we are not only honored to do, but have a responsibility to do,” says Tom Dunn, the executive director of the Southampton Arts Center.
The center’s upcoming exhibition is “Outcropping: Indigenous Art Now,” which will celebrate both contemporary Shinnecock Nation artists and Indigenous artists from sovereign nations throughout the United States.
Organized by Jeremy Dennis, the exhibition will open Friday with work by some 50 artists. The title “Outcropping” refers to both the translation of Shinnecock into English as “People of the Stony Shore” and the tribe’s long connection to the land of Eastern Long Island.
Mr. Dennis has exhibited previously at the center and has collaborated on shows with other Indigenous artists, but “Outcropping” will be his first exhibition as lead curator. Shane Weeks, another Shinnecock artist, will serve as curatorial associate for ancillary programming, which will include talks, tours, films, and workshops.
“It will be really interesting and unique to have these Shinnecock artists and Indigenous artists throughout the country in this shared dialogue,” said Mr. Dennis, who added that in Native American communities an average of 30 percent of the population are artists. Mr. Dennis will lead a free tour of the exhibition on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Participants include Pauline Leilani Badamo, Matt Ballard, Greg Ballenger, Michael Billie, Lisa Bowen, Joe Don Brave, Tecumseh Ceaser, Leeanna Chipana, Marcus Xavier Chormicle, Mona Cliff, Selena Coverdale, Nathaniel Cummings-Lambert, Dennis RedMoon Darkeem, Kelly Dennis, Haley Greenfeather English, Jaida Grey Eagle, Vanessa Dion Fletcher, and Kaysha Haile.
Elisa Harkins, Beth Hazen, Durrell Hunter, Alex Jacobs-Blum, Margaret Jacobs, Chaz John, Jamie R. John, Matthew Kirk, Kite, Ian Kuali’i, Jay Laxton, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Ella Mahoney, David Bunn Martine, Richard Mayhew, Megan McDermott, Jenny Irene Miller, Ehren Natay, Shelley Niro, Krystyna Printup, Tricia Rainwater, Herbert Randall, Eric Roddy, Cara Romero, Denise Silva-Dennis, Skawennati, Gloria Smith, Kevin Umana, Tohanash Tarrant, Renelle White, Mr. Dennis, and Mr. Weeks will also be represented.
The exhibition will remain on view Fridays through Sundays from noon to 5, concluding on April 9.
