Lawrence has one more reason to celebrate these days: Haskell Indian Nations University (155 Indian Avenue, Lawrence, 785-749-8404) has opened a new gallery dedicated to exhibiting works by American Indian artists. The Dick West Art Gallery is named after Haskell alumnus Dick West (1912-96), who was the first American Indian to receive a master of fine arts degree, according to the university. An artist, sculptor, lecturer, arts juror, administrator and teacher, West worked as a professor and administrator at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, before founding Haskell's art department in 1970. The current exhibition includes work by West (including his "Dreamshield," above) and Oklahoma's Ruthe Blalock Jones. West's series of oil paintings commemorates events in the life of Jesus. The exhibition runs through May 1. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, the gallery will present four exhibitions a year organized by faculty member Donald Secondine.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2008
