HEARD MUSEUM COUNCIL PRESENTS NIGHTS AT NORTH

Wednesdays during February 2012, 5 to 7 p.m.

Nights at North, Heard Museum North Scottsdale’s February evening series, returns with five special evenings of fellowship, food and drink, and art. Each Wednesday in February, enjoy a reception at 5 p.m. followed by a lecture at 6 p.m. The Shop will be open until 6 p.m. for last-minute Valentine’s Day shopping. Free to Heard Museum members; free to the public with museum admission. Presened by the Heard Museum Council.

• February 1—Dr. Jessica Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), visiting professor at Arizona State University and author of the blog “Beyond Buckskin,” will discuss the history of designs in and the significance of Indigenous fashion. (left: Shawl by Teri Greeves (Kiowa). From the blog “Beyond Buckskin.”)
• February 8—“Our Indian Princess: Subverting the Stereotype of American Indian Women Artists,” presented by Dr. Nancy Marie Mithlo (Chiricahua Apache, pictured at left, third from top). Art historian Mithlo will discuss the power of stereotypes and the effects of Pan-Indianism on American Indian women artists.
• February 15—Featured in the exhibit All That Glitters: American Indian Gold Jewelry, Victor Beck (Navajo) will discuss his experiences working in his medium and how his career and technique have evolved since he started making American Indian jewelry. (pictured: Elizabeth Wallace (Navajo/Maidu/Washo), b. 1975, Cicada pin, 2005)
• February 22—Dr. Jennifer McLerran of the Museum of Northern Arizona and Northern Arizona University shares her latest research on Navajo textiles, a significant part of Navajo culture. 
• February 29—In “Dualities: Observations on Pueblo Art,” Diana Pardue, curator of collections at the Heard Museum, will share the stories of five Pueblo artists who have had successful careers in pottery, painting, jewelry and fashion.

Mata Ortiz Show

Friday, February 17 - Sunday, February 19

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Experience the color and charm of Mexican folk art on February 17, 18 and 19 when celebrated artisan Jacobo Angeles from Oaxaca visits the Heard Museum Shop for three days of illuminating public talks and demonstrations of creative traditions that express the heart and soul of Mexico’s indigenous people. (Left: Jacobo Angeles and family, courtesy tilcajete.org)

Exquisitely carved and vividly painted alebrijes—animal and mythological figurines from the city of Oaxaca— have become highly popular in recent years. Angeles, together with wife, Maria, is world renowned as a carver and painter of these fanciful forms.

Complementing the presentations will be a superb display of pottery from the village of Mata Ortiz (left, photo courtesy mataortiz.com). The villagers’ hand-crafted pottery is created entirely using local clays and mineral colors, without the benefit of a potter’s wheel, kiln, commercial tools or materials. Yet they are works of exceptional grace and elegance, highly sought after by collectors and all lovers of beautiful things. Mata Ortiz pottery is based on a revival of ancient pottery-making traditions from the ancient Casa Grandes culture of northern Chihuahua in Mexico. On hand to showcase their pottery will be Damian Quezada, nephew of Juan Quezada, the self-taught originator of modern Mata Ortiz pottery, and Jorge Quintana.

While learning more about these rich, traditional art forms, visitors to the Heard North will also have an opportunity to purchase superb alebrijes and fine pieces of Mata Ortiz pottery. Please join us at the Heard Museum North and explore two vital and vibrant indigenous art forms. Free and open to the public. 

NATIVE PEOPLES OF THE SOUTHWEST SHORT COURSE
Mondays, March 12 through April 2

Participants will learn about the Southwest and the first Americans, from the prehistoric peoples and their historic descendants to the people today. The course is taught by noted instructor Barbara Johnson, Heard Museum Guild docent. Each session begins on Monday at 10 a.m. on March 12, 19 and 26, and April 2. The last session on April 2 will be held at Heard Museum Phoenix. Cost is $60 for museum members and $70 for non-members. Not a member? Join today, 602.251.0261 or heard.org/members. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information, please contact Lucille Shanahan at 623.556.1430 or email shanahanle@cox.net.

ARTIST DEMONSTRATION: ROBERTO BROWN

Sunday, March 17

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Navajo weaver Roberto Brown will demonstrate the art of sash belt weaving.

SUN & SONG OUTDOOR MUSIC SERIES

Saturdays in April, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Enjoy the best of Native music at the Sun & Song Outdoor Music Series. Each full weekend in April, contemporary Native musical artists will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays at Heard Museum North Scottsdale. Relax in our garden and at the Gallery Café while listening to wonderful performances.

HEARD NORTH GALA

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Heard North Gala, which will be held at the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, helps support the educational mission of the Heard Museum’s community campus, Heard Museum North Scottsdale at the Summit. HMNS serves the far North Valley with two exhibit galleries, programming, the award-winning Heard Museum Shop and the Gallery Café. Each year, the Gala honors longtime supporters of the Heard who are also noted and notable in the Phoenix/Scottsdale community. For more information, call 602.346.8192.

BLUE STAR MUSEUM INITIATIVE

Monday, May 28 through Monday, September 3, 2012

Heard Museum North Scottsdale is proud to be part of the Blue Star Museum Initiative. The program offers free admission to the Heard for all active-duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 28, through Labor Day, September 3, 2012. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active-duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members and up to five immediate family members.