WINTER 2016–2017
TITAN OF THE WEST
THE ADAMS COLLECTION OF WESTERN AND NATIVE AMERICAN ART P2 INDIANA ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE P4 INDY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY FAMILY TRADITION JINGLE RAILS RETURNS P5 JOHN VANAUSDALL’S 20-YEAR MILESTONE P8
BRIEFS Events under The Sails in 2016 were a hit
Museum Café
Looking back at an exciting summer 2016 at the Eiteljorg, more than 16,000 people enjoyed events under The Sails. Canal-goers could grab a cool drink and a spot in the shade to relax and listen to live music after a long day. The Grand Canyon activities, gold panning and outdoor sculptures provided a great taste of the museum outside, not to mention some wonderful Grand Canyon chalk art creations that were a huge hit. The summer evening concerts were a popular Wednesday activity and everyone loved the local bands. Get your calendars ready for summer 2017 because the fun, music and art will continue and you don’t want to miss out.
When you visit the museum, don’t miss the Eiteljorg Museum Café overlooking the downtown canal. Fall seasonal updates to the café menu join longtime favorites, all full of southwest flavors.
On the cover: W. H. D. Koerner (American, born in Germany, 1878–1938) I can introduce myself, 1928 Oil on canvas and Various Chitimacha artists Baskets and Trays, 1960–1980 Plant fiber, dye Bequests of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams
Volume 11, Number 4
A summer of canine culture in 2017 Plan to join us in 2017 for a spring and summer chock full of dogs and dog-related programming during Dogs: Faithful and True. You’ll meet an Iditarod musher and her dogs; have a chance to create art in one of our workshops; learn how to “speak dog”; find out what area organizations are doing to ensure excellent dog care and welfare; make a special treat for your canine friend; tour the Purdue Vet School’s mobile spay and neuter clinic; show off your doggie knowledge during dog trivia night; join us for a dog-friendly concert under The Sails; adopt a dog from the Humane Society’s Pet Adoption Wagon and watch amazing dogs as they demonstrate incredible feats of agility. We’re partnering with the Humane Society of Indianapolis, Paws and Think, the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and many other area dog-focused organizations and groups for a five-month-long exploration of canine culture and creativity.
President and CEO
Design
John Vanausdall
Honeymoon Image & Design
Vice President for Advancement
Contributors
Nataly Lowder
Martha Hill Sheila Jackson Amy McKune Alisa Nordholt-Dean James Nottage Hyacinth Rucker Sandy Schmidt
Membership Manager
Sheila Jackson Director of Marketing and Communications
Bert Beiswanger
Bryan Corbin, Editor
Contact Us
Eiteljorg Museum 500 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 storyteller@eiteljorg.com www.eiteljorg.org (317) 636-9378
PRESIDENT’S LETTER Bud and Nancy Adams made profound impact on museum’s future Friends, There are events in the life of an institution that become indelible marks on the timeline of its development. The gift from Bud and Nancy Adams of their collection of Western American and Native American art is such an event in the life of the Eiteljorg Museum. I first met Bud and Nancy Adams during a 2004 trip to Houston arranged by museum friend and art collector Steve Zimmerman. Chief curatorial officer James Nottage and I met Bud at his office and toured the art collection housed there. We saw wonderful paintings of the American West and stunning Native American objects, each accompanied with a story from Bud about how he acquired it or what it meant to him. Later at his home, we were greeted warmly by Nancy Adams who was a gracious and welcoming host. After a lengthy tour of the Adams’ home and collection, we sat for a delightful conversation about art, Native American cultures, family, the Tennessee Titans, oil and gas and the Eiteljorg Museum. James and I quickly came to appreciate the importance of the Adams collection and the exceptional people we had just met. Over the coming decade I made several visits to the Adams Resources offices and the Adams home. Because Bud was owner of the Tennessee Titans, I made it my habit to call him the morning after the Titans and the Indianapolis Colts played each other. Bud always took my calls, and we began with a good natured Monday morning analysis of the game. The conversation invariably turned to Western Winter 2016–2017
and Native American art and the latest news at the Eiteljorg. It always amazed me that such a busy man would chat with me at great length. Bud and Nancy had become acquainted with the Eiteljorg Museum in 1993. That year the Eiteljorg, along with the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Culver Educational Foundation, collaborated on a project to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Culver Military Academy. The centennial project included a major exhibition of Western art at the Eiteljorg from the collections of Culver alumni, including Bud Adams who was a Culver graduate. Bud and other family members had the opportunity to visit the museum and Bud later shared with me that he thought the Eiteljorg was an impressive facility. As our friendship developed, I began talking with Bud about the future he imagined for the collection, and I let him know that the Eiteljorg Museum might be a good home for it. In 2008, I provided a written rationale noting the Eiteljorg was a museum dedicated to both Western and Native American Art, it had a new, state-of-the-art and architecturally stunning building, and it was a young museum still building its collection—and the Adams collection could make a profound impact on the museum’s future. Bud never responded to the proposal, and in fact, in all our discussions over the years, he never indicated that the collection would come to us. Nancy passed away in 2009, and I last visited Bud in May of 2011. We had a quiet dinner and talked of Nancy, life,
Nancy and Kenneth S. “Bud” Adams
football and art. I was deeply saddened in 2013 when I learned of Bud’s passing at age 90. I had lost a friend, but thought how fortunate I was to have known Bud and Nancy. A few months after his death, I received a call from a Houston attorney who assumed I would know why he was calling, but I had no idea. The attorney representing the estate shared the news that Bud had left the painting and artifact collection to the Eiteljorg. It is hard to describe the wave of emotion that washed over me at that moment—a combination of astonishment, gratitude and the instant understanding that the Eiteljorg Museum collection would be changed forever. I do not know why Bud never shared with me his intention to give us the collection, but I am grateful for
his decision that the Eiteljorg should be its permanent home. The K. S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams Collection is a profound legacy for Bud and Nancy, and its impact on the Eiteljorg Museum and its collection is extraordinary. The collection meshes so well with Harrison Eiteljorg’s collection and the gifts of other collections including those of George Gund, Helen Kersting and so many others that collectively have formed our museum holdings. We are pleased and honored to be the stewards of the Bud and Nancy Adams Collection and are excited to share it with the public to inspire generations to come. Sincerely,
John Vanausdall President and CEO Eiteljorg Museum 1
COVER STORY
TITAN OF THE WEST The Adams Collection of Western and Native American Art SPECIAL EXHIBITION | NOV 12–FEB 5 With an opening gala celebration on November 11 and a public opening the next day, the Eiteljorg Museum will present highlights of a remarkable new collection, first announced in the summer of 2015. Every collection is formed by the tastes, interests and resources of the collector, and the Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams collection of Western and Native American art is no exception. Bud Adams was an enthusiastic collector of Western and Native American art and artifacts who also had a keen interest in his own Western and Cherokee roots. Born in Oklahoma and descended from Cherokee people forced to move there in the 1830s on the Trail of Tears, Adams later became a strong supporter of preserving tribal history. He attended the Culver Military Academy in Indiana, served in World War II, graduated from the University of Kansas, and went on to a lively career in the oil industry, ranching and professional sports. He was best known by the public as a founder of the American Football League and as owner of the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.
So what will you see in the Titan of the West exhibition? Our selection will fill the special exhibitions gallery and feature 60 paintings and nearly 90 Native American objects. Paintings including major works by Frederic Remington, Charles Russell, Thomas Moran and others will be presented. Native objects include brilliant beaded and quilled clothing and accessories from Plains tribes, pottery and weavings from the Southwest, Cherokee basketry and a wide variety of horse gear, smoking pipes and moccasins. As this collection is one of the most important acquisitions in the museum’s history, you will see works that will be a significant part of the institution for many years to come. Collectively and individually, the Adams collection provides the Eiteljorg Museum with many opportunities for interpretation and education, and demonstrates the power of objects to connect us with our varied and layered identities. The result of two years of research, conservation efforts and planning, Titan of the West is a treat for the eye and the imagination. It is accompanied by a 300-page full-color book written and designed by museum staff.
Frank Tenney Johnson, A Fresh Mount, 1932 Oil on canvas Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams.
Unknown Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara artist, man’s shirt, 1880–1910 Hide, porcupine quills, cotton, glass beads, metal, dye, horsehair, sinew, wool Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams.
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Eiteljorg Museum Storyteller Magazine
Unknown Osage artist Woman’s Skirt, 1880–1930 Wool trade cloth, silk (satin and moiré ribbon), cotton Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams.
All photographs of objects unless otherwise noted are courtesy of Hadley Fruits, Brownsburg, IN.
Frederic Remington A Buck-jumper, ca. 1893 Oil on canvas Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams.
TITAN OF THE WEST
THE ADAMS COLLECTION OF WESTERN AND NATIVE AMERICAN ART
NOV 12 – FEB 5 SPONSORED BY:
Steve and Jane Marmon
Winter 2016–2017
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ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE Back home again: Indiana’s Native artists This fall, the Eiteljorg celebrates Indiana’s indigenous residents with three exciting artist residencies. Whether descended from the people who were the state’s first inhabitants or originating from elsewhere, each of these artists calls the Indiana region home.
Miami beadwork artist Katrina Mitten has deep Indiana roots. Katrina’s ancestors were among a handful of families allowed to remain when the Miami people were forcibly removed to Kansas in the mid-1800s. Katrina was inspired to learn the art of embroidery style beadwork traditional to the Great Lakes people. She has won numerous awards for her exquisite artwork over the years and her pieces can be seen in museums around the nation. On Nov. 25 and 26, visitors can meet Katrina, learn about her family’s Indiana history and watch as she demonstrates beadwork techniques from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Teresa Webb is an integral part of the Indianapolis community. An Anishinaabe educator, artist and storyteller, Teresa calls Michigan home but has lived in Indiana for many years. On Nov. 25 and 26, Teresa will talk about Anishinaabe culture and tell stories accompanied by flute, drum and rattle from 1 to 3 p.m.
Jason Wesaw is a gifted artist who works in many different mediums—from ceramics to photography, textiles to mixed media. A member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi located in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan, Jason’s work embodies his effort
to build a bridge between traditional tribal craft and contemporary art. Jason will spend a weeklong residency at the Eiteljorg working with visiting school groups, speaking with visitors, and leading a workshop at Haughville Branch Library in Indianapolis. On Saturday, Dec. 3, Jason will talk with museum guests about his art during the annual Winter Market. Jason’s residency coincides with an exciting partnership between the Eiteljorg and Harrison Center for the Arts. From Dec. 2 to 30, Jason’s work will be featured in the exhibition Nde’bwe’twa— Place, Relationships, and Ceremony at the Harrison Center’s City Gallery. Visitors will enjoy interacting with Jason during the First Friday opening reception and artist talk on Dec. 2. Describing the exhibit, Jason explains, “In the Potawatomi language, Nde’bwe’twa refers to believing in what someone says. In this case, it’s the belief we carry of our ancestor’s knowledge about our environment, our way of life, and how our culture will continue to change as the world around us changes. My art examines not only how culture and places evolve, but also how the ancient traditions and ceremonies of my people remain vital in the fast-paced world we live in today.”
Dr. Ch. Didier Gondola
LEON JETT MEMORIAL LECTURE Buffalo Bill Cody in Kinshasa: Westerns, Violence, and Masculinity in the Heart of the Tropics
FEB 18
1 p.m. in Clowes Court Dr. Ch. Didier Gondola, Chair of the history department and Professor of African History and Africana Studies at IUPUI.
Book signing of Tropical Cowboys immediately following the talk. Included with museum admission. Find out more at eiteljorg.org
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Eiteljorg Museum Storyteller Magazine
Image of train replica at right is courtesy of Applied Imagination.
Jingle Rails: a must-see family holiday tradition returns A model train attraction that so quickly gained a following it became a beloved holiday tradition returns to the Eiteljorg Museum on Saturday, Nov. 19. Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure is an eyepopping miniature railway that re-imagines the grandeur of the West at a scaled-down size. Nine working model trains plow through fanciful replicas of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, an Aspen ski resort and other historical Western sites, as well as Indianapolis landmarks such as Monument Circle and Lucas Oil Stadium. Scenes are built of natural materials, such as bark, moss and walnut shells. Moving on G-scale-gauge model railroad tracks that wind through craggy landscapes and along trestles that extend overhead, the Jingle Rails trains captivate Eiteljorg visitors of all ages. Based on visitor input that families wanted a “photo op” where they could pose for a holiday keepsake picture, Jingle Rails is adding a new
Winter 2016–2017
feature: an approximately half-scale replica of the front of a locomotive steam engine, whimsically crafted from a tree trunk and roots, perfect for group snapshots. Jingle Rails became an instant hit with visitors when its model trains first went rolling down the track in 2010. Expanded since then, the railway extends from the museum’s Clowes Court into Eagle Commons. Supported by presenting sponsor The Indiana Rail Road Company, and other sponsors, Jingle Rails is widely recognized as a must-see holiday tradition, with families bringing children and grandchildren. “It’s almost a Norman Rockwell thing,” noted Steve Sipe, the Eiteljorg’s director of exhibition and graphic design. “People like the tradition of coming back, year after year.” National media have noticed. In 2015, Fox News Travel described Jingle Rails as one of 12 “most incredible model railways” in the world, and USA Today has named it a “10 Best” Indianapolis attraction. The realistic miniatures were designed and built by Paul Busse and his company, Applied Imagination, in Alexandria, Ky., who built similar replicas at the New York Botanical Garden and United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. Jingle Rails includes 12 scenes taking visitors from Indianapolis to the far West—
including the Soldiers and Sailors Monument strung with Christmas lights, a woodsy rendition of Mount Rushmore, elaborate replicas of national park lodges, the layered geological wonders of the Grand Canyon, a Tlingit Indian village and a working version of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful geyser that puffs steam, among others. As each holiday season starts, the modular scenes or “pods” are taken out of storage and reassembled and the railroad track is reconnected. During the eight-week display, a team of train-enthusiast volunteers maintain the model engines, rail cars and electric track and keep the lighted railway running smoothly.
‘Was that a real train?’ Well yes, that is a mockup of the Santa Fe Super Chief that ran from Chicago to California,” Bromstrup said of the large train that circles the perimeter. “In the era that the train ran (the late 1930s to the late 1950s and early 1960s), that’s how the stars traveled.” For a train’s-eye view of how it looks to pass through the tunnels, around the landscapes and over the trestles, don’t miss the Jingle Rails kiosk showing video taken by GoPro cameras mounted on the trains. Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure and its new train-engine photo op will be open Nov. 19 to Jan. 16 and is included in the price of admission to the Eiteljorg Museum.
JINGLE RAILS
THE GREAT WESTERN ADVENTURE
NOV 19 – JAN 16 PRESENTED BY:
Volunteer Tom Bromstrup
“Adults love it because of the scenery; kids love it because of the trains,” said volunteer Tom Bromstrup, an Eli Lilly retiree and lifelong model-train enthusiast who is “lead engineer” of Jingle Rails. “Some of the adults ask about that Santa Fe train—
SPONSORED BY:
THE KORTEPETER FAMILY L.G. AND ALYCE EDWARDS
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CALENDAR
Visit www.eiteljorg.org for details or call 317.275.1310 to register or purchase tickets. All events are included with general admission unless otherwise noted. Parking is free when visiting the museum, café or museum store unless otherwise noted.
Friday
NOV 4
Noon–12:20 p.m. Curator’s Choice Series: Mostly everything you’ve always wanted to know about the Native Nations of Indiana Join Dr. Scott Shoemaker, the Thomas G. and Susan C. Hoback curator of Native American art, history and culture, for a discussion about mostly everything you’ve always wanted to know about the Native Nations of Indiana. Free for members and included with museum admission. Saturday
NOV 12 Titan of the West: The Adams Collection of Western and Native American Art opens This special exhibition features highlights from a historic collection of Western paintings and Native American artifacts, generously willed to the Eiteljorg by the late businessman and owner of the Tennessee Titans, Kenneth S. “Bud” Adams. Special Opening Day Progamming: Join Eiteljorg curators for an in-depth look at Titan of the West: The Adams Collection of Western and Native American Art. Who is “Bud” Adams? How did he assemble his collection? How did the Eiteljorg acquire Adams’ exquisite collection? Find answers to these and other questions during a 1 p.m. public presentation. Begin or continue the discussion with gallery talks at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Saturday
NOV 19 Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure opens Don’t miss the return of one of Indianapolis’ most popular family holiday traditions: Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure. Model trains wind past miniature landscapes of Indianapolis and the American West. New this year: Live music, films, storytelling and artmaking activities enliven your Jingle Rails experience. Visit eiteljorg.org for more information. Jingle Rails opens Nov. 19, continues through Jan. 16, 2017, and is included with museum admission.
NOV 19–DEC 11 Toys for Turtle Mountain Toy Drive Make a difference this holiday season: Donate a new toy for the children of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. Donations will be collected at the museum through Dec. 11. Friday & Saturday
NOV 25–26
Moccasins, late 19th to early 20th centuries Leather, buckskin, glass beads, wool and cotton Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams.
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10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thanksgiving Weekend Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at the Eiteljorg. Meet Miami beadwork artist Katrina Mitten and learn about her art and culture (10 a.m.– 4 p.m.). Create art, listen as Teresa Webb (Anishinaabe) tells stories (1–3 p.m.) and see the museum’s annual holiday exhibit, Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure.
Monday–Sunday
NOV 28–DEC 4 Hospitality Week Are you an Indianapolis hospitality worker—a skycap, hotel concierge, cab driver or waiter? Bring your family to the museum during Hospitality Week and enjoy FREE admission. Tuesday
NOV 29
5:30–7 p.m. Haughville Branch Library Potawatomi Culture and Pastel Creativity Join Pokagon Potawatomi artist Jason Wesaw for a family workshop to explore his culture and create your own pastel masterpiece at the Haughville Branch Library, located at 2121 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis. Program is free to the public.
Eiteljorg Museum Storyteller Magazine
Friday
Friday
Friday
Noon–12:20 p.m. Curator’s Choice Series: Highlights of the Adams Collection Join James Nottage, vice president and chief curatorial officer, for a discussion about highlights in the collection of the late businessman and owner of the Tennessee Titans, Kenneth S. “Bud” Adams. Free for members and included with museum admission.
Noon–12:20 p.m. Curator’s Choice Series: Charles Schreyvogel, Moving Pictures Join James Nottage, vice president and chief curatorial officer, for a discussion about the work of Charles Schreyvogel. Free for members and included with museum admission.
Noon–12:20 p.m. Curator’s Choice Series: Visions of the Southwest: Paintings of Taos & Santa Fe in the Adams Collection Join Johanna Blume, associate curator of Western art, and explore the Southwest through paintings in the Kenneth S. “Bud” Adams collection. Free for members and included with museum admission.
DEC 2
JAN 6
Mint Evans
Friday–Monday
DEC 2–5 Membership Appreciation Days Eiteljorg Members enjoy a deeper discount of 30% off every purchase in the museum store for four days.
FEB 3
Saturday
Saturday
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Winter Market Get a head start on your holiday shopping at the season’s best regional art market, which features hand-made art from more than 30 artists.
1 p.m. Leon Jett Memorial Lecture, Speaker: Ch. Didier Gondola, Ph.D. Buffalo Bill Cody in Kinshasa: Westerns, Violence, and Masculinity in the Heart of the Tropics Join Dr. Ch. Didier Gondola, Chair of the history department and Professor of African History and Africana Studies at IUPU!, for an exploration of how a generation of young men in Kinshasa, in what was then the Belgian Congo, was influenced by the feats, exploits and the flamboyant looks of the American Western icon, Buffalo Bill. Book signing to follow the talk. Free for members and included with museum admission.
FEB 18
DEC 3
Charles Schreyvogel (American, 1861–1912), Doomed (detail), 1901 Oil on canvas Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams.
Monday
JAN 16 Saturdays, 1–3 p.m. (1st, 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of each month) Storytelling Meet storyteller Teresa Webb (Anishinaabe) and hear about Native American cultures through stories and songs, accompanied by flute, drum and rattle.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Free Admission Admission to the Eiteljorg Museum and other White River State Park (WRSP) venues is FREE on this day with the donation of a non-perishable food item to Gleaners Food Bank. Drop off your donation at any WRSP institution and experience all the park has to offer. See Jingle Rails before it closes.
We’re adding new programs and events all the time. Visit www.eiteljorg.org and sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date on Eiteljorg Museum happenings.
Winter 2016–2017
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Membership Advantages Museum milestone of growth and development: John Vanausdall’s 20 years at the Eiteljorg When John Vanausdall joined the Eiteljorg Museum as its new president and CEO in October 1996, the museum, then open for seven years, was at an “inflection point,” he said —“the newness had worn off.” In the 20 years since, Vanausdall led the Eiteljorg through a dramatic series of changes to position it for the future: > Growing the museum’s endowment from $2 million to $27 million > Completion of the $20 million Mel and Joan Perelman Wing that doubled the museum’s public space > Dramatic growth in the museum’s collections of Native American and Western art through nationally important donations and bequests > More than doubling the museum’s ticket sales in recent years through popular public exhibitions, and reaching out to culturally diverse communities to ensure the museum is relevant. Though in the museum field it’s unusual for any director to stay on for 20 years, Vanausdall said he has been refreshed by each new stage of the Eiteljorg’s development. “To some extent it’s my nature to stick with something for the long haul,” he said of his longevity in the job. “Also, I’ve been lucky to have one of the best museum boards in America, an incredible, creative and productive staff and donors and volunteers who have been deeply committed.” 8
Early peek at Jingle Rails
In 1996 Vanausdall came to the Eiteljorg after 18 years in both the creative and management areas of the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and with an MBA from Indiana University. Through patience, persistence and diplomacy Eiteljorg president and CEO he’s navigated the Eiteljorg John Vanausdall through projects to build the base of supporters and realign the Eiteljorg’s public “I’ve been lucky to have perception from solely an art one of the best museum museum to one of art, history boards in America, an and culture that is deeply incredible, creative and engaged with the Indianapolis productive staff and community. donors and volunteers “Especially since we are a who have been deeply museum in large part about committed.” Native Americans, and because John Vanausdall these are living cultures of today, we have nurtured extraordinarily special relationships Festival that will celebrate with the people themselves, its 25th year in June 2017. their leadership and the artists,” Developing and maintaining Vanausdall said. “I’m proud of the museum’s financial support what we have accomplished base, both from private in that area. philanthropy and corporate “We’ve also been very delib- sponsorships, is Vanausdall’s erate in telling the complete most important role. Through story of the American West, his forging long-term working one that’s really about the relationships with collectors of cultural diversity that our West Native American and Western has always embodied,” he art, the Eiteljorg has become continued, noting the conflubeneficiary of the impressive ence of Native American, collections of George Gund, Anglo, Latino, African-American Helen Cox Kersting, Kenneth and Asian cultures in the S. “Bud” Adams and other West in shaping the nation as donors that include works by a whole and the perceptions Frederic Remington, Georgia Americans hold of themselves. O’Keeffe, Howard Terpning During his 20 years, the and others. Eiteljorg launched new As he prepares to launch programs—the Eiteljorg the next phase of building Contemporary Art Fellowship, the museum’s endowment, the annual Quest for the Vanausdall, 60, said what West® Art Show and Sale he finds most rewarding is and the Buckaroo Bash “just being able to guide the fund-raiser—and enhanced growth of one of the best the annual Indian Market and museums in America.”
A special perk of Eiteljorg membership is that you can get a sneak peek at Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, before it opens to the public. Join us on Friday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for an exclusive chance to see this wonderful holiday tradition before the crowds arrive. Just show your membership card. Jingle Rails is a locomotive wonderland, a network of trestles, bridges and tunnels with chugging trains and detailed replicas of national treasures, all wrapped up in holiday trimming. While at the Eiteljorg, get a start on your holiday shopping by purchasing a gift membership for someone on your list. That’s one year of unlimited visits to and experiences at the Eiteljorg. If recipients happen to be dog lovers, they will be able to visit our 2017 exhibition Dogs: Faithful and True for free. Memberships can be purchased at the front desk or online at www.eiteljorg.org.
Eiteljorg Museum Storyteller Magazine
CURATOR’S CORNER New device helps detect hidden hazards inside museum objects by Amy McKune, director of museum collections
This is exactly the type of e-mail one hopes never to receive. Yet I did receive it on February 26, 2016. In preparation for the exhibit of the paintings and objects in the Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams collection, we embarked on an extensive conservation effort to stabilize more than 50 works, coordinating with nine conservators who specialize in paintings, works on paper, objects and textiles. During her treatment, Nicole Grabow, objects conservator at the Midwest Art Conservation Center in Minneapolis, discovered the presence of arsenic on a pair of leggings. Nicole used a portable XRF (X-ray fluorescence), a standard for non-destructive testing of objects, to find evidence of toxic materials. When pointed Winter 2016–2017
at an object, the XRF device measures the fluorescent properties of elements present to identify them as lead, arsenic, mercury or other toxins. Objects sometimes contain hazardous materials. Past fumigation treatments, performed to keep insects from damaging objects, can leave residues. In some cases, materials such as red lead paint used to create the objects are not always safe. People who handle contaminated objects without taking precautions can be exposed to residues of these hazardous chemicals. XRF also can be used to help better interpret objects. An object can be tested to determine if its composition is consistent with the period in which it is thought to have been made. If it is not, the testing can support a conclusion that, while an object may appear authentic, it is actually a later reproduction. With funding from a 2010 National NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) grant, the Eiteljorg tested about 200 objects using XRF technology. A system of color coded tags notifies staff and researchers of potentially hazardous objects. A record of the spectrographic analysis and its interpretation is linked to our collections management database. One of the most surprising realizations was that two objects can have similar materials and look much alike, but one can test as highly toxic while the other shows no sign of toxins. As the collection grows,
Unknown Blackfoot artist, man’s leggings, 1880–1910 Hide, glass beads, ermine pelts, pigment, canvas, wool, feathers and cotton Bequest of Kenneth S. “Bud” and Nancy Adams. Photograph courtesy of Hadley Fruits Christa Barleben, Eiteljorg registrar, uses a portable XRF unit to test a collection object. Photography courtesy of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI
we have a continuing need to use this technique. Recently, Dr. Bruce J. Kaiser, chief scientist for Bruker Elemental, traveled to Indianapolis to demonstrate how to use the unit and to interpret the results. We’re sold on the benefits of using portable XRF for non-destructive testing to systematically test the current collection of 7,636 artworks. These efforts will assure that Eiteljorg staff members have the information needed to incorporate appropriate safety measures into managing the collection. Interested in seeing the XRF unit in action? You can
attend a demonstration of the XRF at the Collections Care Fair at the Eiteljorg on April 1, 2017, an event cohosted by the museum and the Preventive Conservation Class of Dr. Holly CusackMcVeigh, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Museum Studies at IUPUI. If you would like to financially support this investment in XRF technology, please contact Nataly Lowder, vice president for advancement, at (317) 275-1311 or nlowder@eiteljorg.com. We’d be happy to have you visit for a demo of the portable XRF. 9
EITELJORG PROFILE New assistant curator Dorene Red Cloud brings unique perspective by Bryan Corbin, editor Dorene Red Cloud is an artist and museum professional, but in describing her curatorial work communicating across cultures, she cited the Lakota term iyeska, which means interpreter. “I try to bridge gaps and be a translator to different groups and find common ground and ideas. We are all human beings with similar feelings and ideas,” she said. The Eiteljorg Museum is very pleased to welcome Dorene Red Cloud as its new assistant curator of Native American art. With museum experience, Red Cloud joins our team of specialists in presenting and managing the permanent and changing exhibitions of traditional, historical and contemporary Native art. “I’d like, ideally, for the museum visitor to come in and get a better understanding of—and better insight into— contemporary Native peoples. I’m interested in intertwining the past, present and future— and yes, there have been some sad parts (for Native peoples) in the past. But this is who we are now and we’re stronger, and this is what we’re doing now and where we want to go,” she said. An Oglala Lakota, Dorene grew up in Iowa, South Dakota and Michigan since her father worked for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, moving his family whenever a promotion arose. Studying art, she earned degrees in fine arts in ceramics at the University of Michigan and museum studies at the
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Dorene Red Cloud
Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, N.M., and a Master’s degree in American Indian studies at UCLA. “I met and befriended people from all walks of life and different cultures, which makes me more appreciative to meet and work with new people and travel and be open to that sort of change,” she said. Her work with Native artifacts took her to jobs at the Plains Indian Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe and the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. At the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, she worked in the Office of Repatriation. Under a federal law, the Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act or NAGPRA, objects in museum collections that were wrongly taken from Native graves decades ago can be identified and
returned to the tribes to whom they belong for reburial. Dorene researched the history of objects, coordinated with claimants who requested their return and prepared reports for the NMAI’s Board of Trustees. Several dozen objects she recommended be returned were repatriated. “Dorene brings multiple important experiences and knowledge with her as assistant curator of Native American art. She will be instrumental in not only existing projects, but also will bring her unique perspective and vision for the future reinstallation of the Native galleries and beyond. She will make a fine addition to the museum,” said Scott Shoemaker, curator of Native American art, history and culture. She also brings a fascinating family history as a direct descendant of the famous Red Cloud (1820-1909), the Oglala Lakota military leader who was one of the most formidable opponents the Army faced during the Plains Indian wars in the West. Red Cloud’s victory over U.S. troops prompted the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868 that led to the abandonment of several Army forts and the creation of five Indian reservations in South Dakota.
Red Cloud outlived his contemporaries and lived to a peaceful old age. “Think about the other great leaders—Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Spotted Elk—who were all killed (as a result of the Plains Indian wars), and Red Cloud was not,” Dorene said of her great-great grandfather. “He believed in preserving the lives of as many Sioux people as he could, and that’s what he did. He saw a lot of change in his life: A young warrior grew into an older wise man, and I can’t imagine the acceptance he had to embrace—being free and on the Plains and having a traditional life, and then being sequestered to a small tract of land (on a reservation). I’m so very grateful to be related to him and admire him so much, and I want people to know he helped people in many ways.” An artist, Dorene Red Cloud creates terra-cotta sculptures that emulate objects in nature. As the Eiteljorg’s new assistant curator of Native American art, she succeeds Ashley Holland, who left to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma. “Dorene’s interest and experience with art and culture make her a natural fit for this position,” added Jennifer Complo McNutt, Eiteljorg’s curator of contemporary art.
Eiteljorg Museum Storyteller Magazine
Mary Van Hoy
WINTER MARKET Christine Davis
Jamie Martine
Jill Duzan
Mary Firestone
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Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Shop from some of the top artists in the region. Find a unique gift for that special someone this holiday season. Find out more at eiteljorg.org Andy Roques
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MEMBERSHIPS & DONATIONS Thank you to the following donors for memberships and gifts received between June 1 and August 31, 2016. Due to space limitations, only contributions of $100 or more are listed—with the exception of annual fund, memorial and honorarium gifts. If your name is not listed as you would like it to be, or if it has been omitted, please accept our apology and call 317.275.1341. Membership gifts ($100 and over) Chairperson’s Circle Cumulative giving for 2016 $10,000–$24,999 L.G. and Alyce Edwards Joseph and Gita Osborne President’s Society Cumulative giving for 2016 $5,000–$9,999 Caryn and David Anderson Dr. and Mrs. John C. Lechleiter Robert and Lora Sandroni Golden Eagle Society $2,500–$4,999 Anonymous Lori Efroymson-Aguilera and Sergio Aguilera Mr. and Mrs. R. Michael Leppert Dr. and Mrs. Randall G. Rowland Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Skehan John Vanausdall Eagle Society $1,500–$2,499 Deanna DeBrier Tim Garnett and Peter Slaymaker Greg and Kathy Miller Dorothy M. White Advocate Members $1,000–$1,499 Steven and Sharon Klusman Patron Members $500–$999 Mauvene Borton John and Mary Ann Grogan Stephen and Elizabeth Holmes Dr. Catherine Moran Robert and Ellen Whitt Sustaining Members $250–$499 Dr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Broadie Robert Cirillo Janice and Charles Fitzgerald Charles and Louise Gay James and Danna Gossett
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F. Eugene and Mary Harrington Roger and Francine Hurwitz Harriet Ivey and Dick Brashear James and Mary Jackson Daniel and Dianne Motto Mr. and Mrs. James T. Neal Mr. William J. O’Connor, Jr. Nancy A. Pickering John Larry Richardt Contributing Members $125–$249 Dr. Walter and Joan Able Neva S. Bell Richard and Linda Bloch Eleanor D. Bookwalter Daniel and Elizabeth Brock Doug Brooks and Mary Gambone Gregory and Marsha Brown Nancy Christy Lynne Coverdale and Jody Clymer Wayne Craig Forest and Marsha Daugherty John C. DePrez, Jr. and Lee Marks Robert and Sharon Doiron George and Wendy Dougherty Michael Durham Bill and Coleen Ehrig Max Eiteljorg Michael and Rhonda Fasig Austin and Christine Greene Ken and Linda Grimes Dr. and Mrs. Jay L. Grosfeld Stella Hanley Jack Heller Gary and Katie Hoefle Anne and Bob Hoover Joe and Emily Huntzinger Terry and Dixie Ihnat Marilyn Jones Keith and Gloria Keppel Fredrick Lane Jack E. and Karen Kay Leonard Charles Malinowski Phillip Mervis and Sheryl Facktor Carolyn and Gary Mueller Noreen and Alan Poorman Dr. and Mrs. Robert Pribush William K. Ransom Chris Reading and Juliet Port Bob and Carol Reynolds Miriam Robeson Mary Ann Roman Art and Christine Schildbach Jack and Barbara Simon Louis and Rie Somlai Mary Tanner Charlene K. Timothy Norbert and Carol VanOchten James K. Vinton Dr. James and Barbara Williams
Donors All annual fund, memorial and honorarium gifts are listed. Gifts in other categories are for $100 or more. Annual Fund and other designated gifts Dr. Caryn C. Anderson and Mr. David Anderson Anonymous (9) Robert and Neva Arnold Bank of Indianapolis Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Baxter Deb Boyd Mary Beth and Robert Braitman Georgia Buchanan Dr. Edward and Phyllis Cockerill Angie and Dick Darlington Carol Derbin L.G. and Alyce Edwards Roger and Mindy Eiteljorg Mr. Alan Gerry Susan Gunn Joy and Dan Hess Eric and Pamela Hinkle Lezlie Laxton Carla and Mike Leppert Norris and MaLes Lineweaver Marigold, Inc. Steve and Jane Marmon Beth Meloy and Robert Oppelt MET Foundation Inc. Jim and Jackie Morris David and Virginia Mullins Native Peoples Magazine Robert and Lora Sandroni Joan SerVaas and Larry Roan Harry A. Snyder Patsy Solinger Rick and Sue Terrell Lute Thompson Cathy and Robert Turner Martha and John Tynan United Way Mark and Cathy Van Westrum John Vanausdall David and Cherie Webster Bill and Roberta Witchger Marjorie P. Zeigler Robina M. Zink
Gifts in Honor and Memory In Honor of Georgia Buchanan’s 90th Birthday Susie and Howard Maxwell In Honor of Mike Eagle’s birthday Teddy Guzman In Honor of Susie Maxwell John and Jill Failey Ginny Hodowal Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Skehan Christy Vezolles and Gil Waldman In Honor of Virginia “Ginger” Merkel Pam and Gary Jursik In Memory of Elmira Annis Becky Vermillion In Memory of David Bailie Frank Arevalo Assistance League of Indianapolis Elizabeth Bedwell Lynda L. Cline Larry and Jill Dodd Amy and Jeffrey Goodwin K.R. Kline and Associates, Inc. Linda King Barton and Linda Luedeke Sharon Mills Sally R. Myers William Teachey United States Gypsum Judie and Karen Wynn In Memory of John Holliday John Vanausdall In Memory of Russ Miller of Ft. Myers, FL, a gifted artist and a lover of Southwestern art Carole L. Lichtenauer In Memory of John Peacock Lute Thompson In Memory of Kent Bryan Perelman Robert Pruitt In Memory of John Rardon Anonymous In Memory of Harold R. Watkins Evelyn N. Watkins In Memory of Robert L. Wolen Jamilie Jacobs
*Deceased
Eiteljorg Museum Storyteller Magazine
Foundations, Corporations and Government Gifts $50,000 and above Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc. $25,000–$49,999 Arts Council of Indianapolis Avis Foundation, Inc. Indiana Arts Commission $10,000–$24,999 The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation $5,000–$9,999 Ayres Foundation, Inc. Indiana Department of Commerce, Tourism Division $2,500–$4,999 Arthur Jordan Foundation Booth Western Art Museum The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Family Foundation $1,000–$2,499 Maxwell Alexander Gallery Matching Gift Companies Eileen Fisher, Inc. Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc.
Project New Moon capital campaign gifts Mary Beth and Robert Braitman Exhibitions and Special Events Titan of the West: The Adams Collection of Western and Native American Art Opening party sponsored by Chubb Gregory & Appel Insurance Ice Miller LLP Steve and Jane Marmon In-Kind donation Monarch Beverage 2016 Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure Presented by The Indiana Rail Road Company Sponsored by L.G. and Alyce Edwards The Kortepeter Family Indianapolis Colts Katz, Sapper & Miller LLP One America In-Kind Donation Stuart’s Moving and Storage
In-Kind Gifts Faegre Baker Daniels LLP Honeymoon Image & Design Indianapolis Fruit Company Miles Monarch Beverage Montgomery Tent and Awning Company Inc. Priority Press Stuart’s Household Furniture Moving and Storage, Inc.
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Titan of the West: The Adams Collection of Western Art and Native American Art
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BEAUTIFUL COLLECTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS These and other Eiteljorg Publications are available in the Museum Store and on the web. Purchase online at eiteljorg.org.
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Jessica Strickland Photography
Winter 2016–2017
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White River State Park • 500 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 www.eiteljorg.org
Coming soon DOGS: FAITHFUL & TRUE OPENS MAR 4
Explore the enduring presence and contributions of dogs as companions, workers and heroes in Native American and Western cultures. Dogs: Faithful and True promises to be a heart-warming and insightful look at our canine friends. PRESENTED BY
Doc Holliday Australian Shepherd, American bred in the West Springfield Photography
Howard Post, Stormy Monday, ca. 1991, oil on canvas. Gift of Stan and Sandy Hurt.
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