LEWISTON, Idaho – As part of a year-long celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Nez Perce National Historical Park, the exhibit “Nuunimnix: Our Very Own” will be presented at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History, 415 Main Street, from Aug. 27 through Dec. 19.
The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, opens Thursday at 5 p.m. A cultural celebration and artist reception for the exhibit takes place Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m., and will include the release of the exhibit catalog. A series of artist demonstrations are planned to occur throughout the run of the exhibit and are also open to the public. with a ceremony marked with comments from representatives of the Nez Perce National Historical Park, Nez Perce Tribe, and Lewis-Clark State College.
The Nez Perce National Historical Park reached out to Nez Perce artists to make traditional items for family, friends and loved ones for the exhibit. The word Nuunimnix, translated from Nimiipuutimt, means “our very own.” The exhibition features over 40 artists and celebrates Nez Perce culture, Nez Perce creations, and the teachers of these skills and traditions that sustain Nez Perce culture. More than art pieces, the exhibition’s dresses, woven bags, shawls, baskets, headdresses, dance staffs and gun cases reflect what you do if you are Nez Perce.
The exhibition debuted at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph, Ore., in May. Community partners in the show include the Nez Perce Tribe, Clearwater River Casino, Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, and the LCSC Center for Arts & History. A hardcover catalog of items in the show, the stories of each artist, and the story underlying the items selected for the exhibition will be for sale.
The gallery is open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For more information or to schedule a docent tour of the exhibit call 208-792-2243.