Keeping the Faith

While many of these artists represent the “old guard” as it were, there are also some younger artists: Annelia Norris, Alme Allen and Frank Buffalo Hyde, for example. There are carvings, watercolors, oils, jewelry, sculptures, prints, photography and collage. Working in a variety of media, these 14 artists are from all walks of life, but as Brian says, “we’re all making art, and we’ve all come a long way.”

They’ve come a long way, and they have come home. Someone once told me that he didn’t understand the term “Native American” because he was born in America so he was just as native as the Indians. At the time, that didn’t sound right to me, but I couldn’t quite articulate why. After all, what do I know, I’m just a white kid too. It wasn’t until later that I realized the flaw in his reasoning. There is a difference between being born here of parents from elsewhere, and being born here of ancestors who have lived in the very same place for generations upon generations. When your family has always been here, your relationship with the place is in your bones and your blood, and not just under your feet.

These artists all have the the place of their birth in their souls, and this is apparent in their artwork. Brian recited a poem to me that he had written about homecoming, and it sums up what this show is about and why it is unique. It’s called “In the Spawning Ground.”

I am from the spawning ground
It’s the one that we all know
At one time or another
we all swam from the same hole
That’s when my water broke
That’s when my Father spoke
He said, when I was young I was told
Know how the water tastes
Know which way it flows
Feel the wind
Know which way it blows
Learn from the animals
The birds and the bees
Say a prayer for the home ground
The rivers, rocks, mountains, oceans and trees
Always give
more than you take
Always work hard
for the people’s sake
Don’t tell lies
Do things right
Sing your own song
and you won’t be wrong
So what I know
is what I owe
Take it
Use it
Then put it back
in the ground
Where it was
before it was found
And then give it light
and make it bright
and let it grow
With love, with respect
That way, that day
we all can grow.

Keeping the Faith will be up through August at Piante Gallery, 620 Second Street in Eureka. The 14 artists are: Alme Allen, Rick Bartow, Robert Benson, George Blake, Frank Buffalo Hyde, Julian Lang, Frank LaPena, Deborah McConnell, Louisa Debrose McConnell, Karen Noble, Annelia Norris, Lyn Risling, Brian D. Tripp and Frank Tuttle.

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