National Willa Cather Center News

Read more about the twelve artists who participated in 49 Minutes of Fame—An Exhibition of Native Pop Art in 2021 at the Red Cloud Opera House Gallery.

In 2021, we celebrated Native American Heritage month with an exhibition showcasing twelve Native American pop artists. 49 Minutes of Fame plays on a name for powwow after-parties and takes a capacious view of pop art.

About Hoka Skenandore

Tribal Affiliation: Oneida, Oglala Lakota, Luiseno

Hoka Skenandore was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1982. Skenandore grew up in a home where he learned to appreciate traditional Native American art alongside fine art. On his own, he embraced the D.I.Y. ethos of punk rock and hip- hop culture and painted graffiti art. Skenandore currently lives in Norman, Oklahoma and is building off his bachelor of fine arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM, to pursue a master of fine arts from the University of Oklahoma.

Artist Testimony

I paint my experience as a tribal member living in urban Oklahoma and the Southwest. I observe art history and indigenous art history of the America’s. My identity was forged from conflict, fear, family, heritage and fragments. Making faster and better decisions in the painting process has helped in my personal life and painting practice. I paint on multiple supports and use acrylic, oil and enamel.

Children’s literature lovers are in for a treat next month! Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations makes its way to our art gallery on December 15, and teachers, students, and readers are invited to experience some of the vibrant artwork that the Caldecott Medal honors each year.