SUMMER 2021 VIRTUAL INDIAN MARKET JUNE 14-28, 2021 P2 QUEST FOR THE WEST ® ART SHOW AND SALE OPENING WEEKEND SEPT 10-11, 2021 EVENTS WITH ACTOR WES STUDI SEPT 10-12, 2021 QUEST EXHIBITION SEPT 12-OCT 10, 2021 P4 COMPLETING PROJECT 2021 P7 REMEMBERING MEL PERELMAN P6 WIDE VARIETY OF NATIVE AMERICAN ART AND PROGRAMMING P11, P14 EITELJORG VOLUNTEERS MAKE MUSEUM MEMORIES P17 DIVERSITY STATEMENT A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion n 2020 the Eiteljorg Museum updated its diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion statement, the I first step in a multi-part diversity effort. Eiteljorg Eiteljorg Museum Magazine staff member Liz Ale led the task force that developed Winner of the Award of Honor the statement, presented here: from the Public Relations Society of America — Hoosier Our Commitment Chapter in 2019 and 2020 The Eiteljorg Museum is committed to presenting the art and heritage of the American West and Volume 16, Number 2 the Native peoples of North America as a diverse story of human accomplishment, adversity and perseverance with respect and sensitivity to all cultures. In order to fulfill this commitment, the President and CEO John Vanausdall Eiteljorg must keep diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion at the forefront of everything we Vice President for Advancement do. Nataly Lowder Respect For Native Lands And Peoples Director of Marketing Our museum sits upon the land of the Miami and Lenape peoples and the wider Indiana region and Communications encompasses the homelands of the Kickapoo, Shawnee, Peoria and Potawatomi peoples. Bert Beiswanger Therefore, the Eiteljorg Museum has a distinct responsibility to educate the public about these Editor and Writer Bryan Corbin living cultures of our local area and the Great Lakes region. The Eiteljorg is dedicated to fulfilling Design this responsibility and carrying out its broader mission to present the arts, histories and cultures Honeymoon Image & Design of the Native peoples of North America through exhibitions and programs that demonstrate Contributing Writers sensitivity and respect toward Native peoples and their cultures. We are also committed to Kay Hinds inclusivity by incorporating Native peoples’ perspectives and their direct participation into our work. Nataly Lowder Elisa Phelps Representing Diverse Communities Bert Beiswanger In our presentations of the art and history of the American West, the Eiteljorg is committed to an Sophia Holt-Wilson inclusive approach that challenges past practices of museums and the Western art world that Brandi Crocker often omitted the experiences of all those who shaped the West and its art, including people Alisa Nordholt-Dean Jay Harkness who are Native American, Black, Latino, Asian, members of the LGBTQ+ community and others Kyrra Clevenger of different backgrounds and beliefs. The art we collect will include works by and about these Contributing Photographers underrepresented peoples, and the exhibitions, interpretation, programs and publications we Eiteljorg Museum staff, interns and archives create will bring to light this diversity. Hadley Fruits Photography Laughter and Resilience artwork images Creating A Welcoming Environment are courtesy of Addison Doty of the The communities we welcome and serve at the Eiteljorg include, but are not limited to, peoples of Wheelwright Museum of the American all ages, races, ethnicities, sexes, gender identities and gender presentations, sexual orientations, Indian, Santa Fe, N.M. Wes Studi images courtesy of cultures, national origins, languages, abilities, educational backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, Jen Boyer and Maura Dhu Studi physical appearances, veteran statuses, personalities, religious or spiritual beliefs and political Joy Harjo image by Shawn Miller views. We also recognize and celebrate the diversity of our downtown Indianapolis neighborhood Origin Studios and are committed to serving the needs of our local community. The Eiteljorg Museum strives Browning Day to be accessible to everyone and seeks to break down barriers that might prevent people from Jessica Strickland Photography Brittany Erwin Photography visiting. Our advertising, marketing and promotional activities must also consider our diverse Jason Garcia image courtesy of the artist audiences, and are the first, critical step in welcoming everyone to participate. Editor’s Note Diversity Of Voices In The Room Every effort is made to ensure To be a successful museum about diverse peoples, it is essential that the people who work, that exhibition images published in volunteer and provide consulting and contract services for the museum reflect the diversity of our Storyteller magazine accurately reflect mission and the communities we serve. Our human resources practices must also be inclusive the artworks on exhibit at the Eiteljorg Museum during the dates announced and equitable regarding leadership, governance, planning and policymaking. and promoted. Details of announced Fulfilling Our Commitment events and exhibitions might change too late for the Storyteller’s publication The Eiteljorg aspires to become a museum where all people feel that they are heard, represented deadlines. For comments or questions, and respected. By working to fulfill the principles outlined in this statement, the Eiteljorg Museum call 317.275.1315 or email is committed to building a more accessible, inclusive and equitable future for the diverse [email protected]. communities we serve. On the cover: Victoria McKinney (Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama), Past Time Patterns, 2018, Pottery Supported by the Indy Arts and Culture Avis Charley (Spirit Lake Dakota/Diné), When Prayers Hit, 2019, oil on canvas. Image courtesy of the artist. Restart & Resilience Fund: An Arts Wes Studi (Cherokee), image courtesy of Jen Boyer Council of Indianapolis program made Gerald Balciar, Cactus Perch, 2021, bronze, 12 x 9 x 5 inches possible by Lilly Endowment Inc. PRESIDENT’S LETTER A look back, and a look ahead: Summer 2021 at the Eiteljorg Friends, of Native Americans and all June 20 marks one year the peoples of the West. In since the Eiteljorg Museum 2020, as the nation reckoned reopened its doors to the with racial injustice, the public after being temporarily Eiteljorg board and staff closed for three months by recognized the need to update the pandemic. We are heart- our diversity statement and to ened to see visitors return to create a broader statement of enjoy the Eiteljorg’s galleries our commitment to diversity, John Vanausdall and participate in our virtual equity, accessibility and inclu- and in-person programs. We sion. This process renewed are grateful for vaccinations and expanded our promise to that will help make it possible make everyone feel welcome Eiteljorg President and CEO John Vanausdall, left, Joan Perelman, center, and again for people to gather at the museum, to find them- Mel Perelman, right, at a June 2018 gala honoring the Perelmans for their and attend arts and cultural selves in our offerings, and to contributions to arts and culture, where Mel received the Sagamore of the events, though public health be a part of our staff, board Wabash award. Read more about the Perelmans on pages 6 and 17. measures understandably and volunteer program. Read remain in place. the statement on the facing activities. This is a wonderful Indianapolis Motor Speedway The season begins on a page. Our thanks to the task opportunity to connect with Museum. We welcome them bittersweet note. On March 26, force who created it. Indigenous artists, purchase both, and we congratulate the museum and Indianapolis Other big changes are their beautiful jewelry, pottery, several other Eiteljorg employees community suffered a great under way. The Eiteljorg’s basketry, paintings and other who recently moved up into loss when our dear friend second-floor Native American art, and learn about their new roles, including Dorene and longtime board member galleries are undergoing a cultures. Red Cloud (Oglala Lakota), Mel Perelman died. Mel and complete reconstruction and With the gradual return to associate curator of Native his wife Joan Perelman have reinstallation. When they live, on-site events, we will American art; Madison Hincks, been among the museum’s reopen in June 2022, you will host the 16th annual Quest manager of catering, rentals most generous supporters, as be amazed. During the project, for the West ® Art Show and and events; Brandi Crocker, you will read in this issue. Mel a wide range of Native works Sale at the museum Sept. 10- manager of special events chaired the capital campaign are on temporary exhibit in the 11. We will welcome the top and artist engagement; Liz that concluded with the 2005 museum’s Paul Gallery and artists in the Western genre Ale, collections information expansion of the museum, the Hurt and Harvey Galleries, and collectors who prize their specialist; Lorna Speece, Mel and Joan Perelman Wing. and also in the traveling work. Our special guest will development associate; Jay Also, Mel and Joan assembled special exhibition Laughter be Academy Award-winning Harkness, volunteer coordinator; an extraordinary collection of and Resilience: Humor in actor Wes Studi (Cherokee), Sophia Holt-Wilson, digital Native American and Western Native American Art. We will who will discuss his iconic marketing coordinator; and art that they chose to transfer also reimagine the children’s film roles and make a public Kyrra Clevenger, public to the Eiteljorg. The museum discovery area, the R.B. Annis presentation