The opening reception for the 18th annual Lawrence Indian Arts Show will be 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Sept. 8 at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H., 843-2787.

Moderator

Hi, everybody. Maria Martin, coordinator of the Lawrence Indian Arts Show , is here to answer your questions. I’m Terry Rombeck, your moderator for the afternoon. I’m a features reporter here at the Journal-World.

Moderator

Feel free to post your questions any time through the chat.

Maria Martin

Hello Terry. It is great to be here today. Thank you.

Moderator

First off, please give us an overview of the show. (By the way, the show opens with a reception Friday evening at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.)

Maria Martin

The Lawrence Indian Arts Show is now in its 18th year, and still going strong. This year we open on Friday September 8 with a Public Reception at the Lawrence Arts Center beginning at 7 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for collectors and art lovers to be the first to see the works in the Juried Show and to make purchases. The evening includes an Award Ceremony, and a fundraiser Silent Auction. In fact, the Auctions is actually going on now at the Arts Center in the lobby. The weekend brings over 165 American Indian artists to Lawrence to display and sell their recent creations in this fabulous outdoor setting. Some of the same artists also have works in the Juried Show. The market runs Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. It is an absolutely great event for not only collectors but the whole family. Entertainment and food are also available. Other events include an exhibit at Haskell Cultural Center and Museum, a Behind the Scenes at the Spencer Museum of Art (September 15 only), and two public lectures at the Arts Center, September 13 and September 27. A full four weeks of American Indian art – and all events are free and open to the public.

Moderator

I just got done typing the list of winners for Friday’s paper, and I was struck by the variety of hometowns for the artists. How do you get interest from so many places in the country, and how does this show compare with others in the United States?

Maria Martin

The Indian Arts Show is advertised widely but the best advertising comes from the artists – all of those who have participated and continue to do the juried show and our market. That is our best way of getting word out. Now 18 years old, the show has had some great publicity and appearances in some great publications, American Indian Art Magazine,Native Peoples, Southwest Art – all of these have been great for us. We also travel to shows that are similar to ours and promote our event.

The Lawrrence Indian Arts Show was ranked one of the tope 15 American Indian art events in the country (Native Peoples Magazine) and that is a tremendous accomplishment for the Show. Not because of any one thing we do, but because of the artists we draw to our events – these are award winning artists as well as newcomers to the field of markets and shows. We have been able to compete wih some major Indian art shows because of the quality of our events, and the prize money we are able to offer.

I have to say that we are fortunate, the Lawrence Indian Arts Show has wonderful and generous supporters who make all of these events possible. We fundraise for everything and have major supporters in the University of Kansas, the Kansas Arts Commission, and the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nations. Other support for general operations and prize money comes from private individuals, local and regional businesses and corporations. The full list of supporters is posted in the gallery at the Lawrence Arts Center and by recognition in the sponsor specific awards this year. And the other thing that keeps artists coming back is the appreciation they get from the people at the exhibition opening and at the market with good sales, and more important good conversations and a good sense of welcome. The Lawrence community helps keep this going.

Moderator

Here’s a submitted question for you.

Joel

Hi Maria: What’s going to be the cost range for materials at the show? Some of us like to collect art on a budget.

Maria Martin

Joel. Good question. I think you and others coming to both the juried exhibition show and sale and the market will find something that will fall in your budget range. That is the wonderful thing about these markets and shows. They are truly something for everyone – serious collectors, first time buyers, and just folk with some general interest. Let me know if you were able to add to your collections.

Moderator

If someone’s not too familiar with Indian art, what sorts of works can they expect to see? Are there certain items that are more popular than others as far as the art goes?

Maria Martin

Art sales at the juried show and the market are all over the range. Popularity will probably go to jewelry but closely followed by all other media – paintings, drawings, pottery and ceramics, baskets and textiles.

The juried show and market feature paintings – oils and acrylics, watercolor and mixed media; pottery – traditional pueblo pots and contemporary raku fired vessels; textiles – weavings and quilts; jewelry – very contemporary and traditional inlay such as some of the wonderful Zuni pieces; basketry is also wonderful in the juried show. Guest will see traditional Acoma pottery and Taos vessels, the Navajo weavings, to quilts with photo transfers, to cutting edge sterling silver “musical” jewelry, to full beaded and tanned hide regalia.

Moderator

That’s our last question of the day. Again, the show runs through Oct. 7 at the Arts Center. Thanks, Maria, for coming in for the chat, and good luck with the show.

Maria Martin

Thanks again Terry. Remember, the Show and Market runs rain or shine. There is always something to do here in Lawrence on weekends, but this is truly one event you do not want to miss. Again, thanks for giving me the opportunity to visit with your on-line readers. See you this weekend.