DURHAM, N.H. - The University Museum in the Dimond Library at the University of New Hampshire will present an exhibit of contemporary regional Native American artists in conjunction with the conference "First Nations, Lasting Nations," which takes place Sept. 17 and Sept. 18, 2010, on the Durham campus.  

"Invisible/Visible: Emerging Contemporary New England Native American Art" opens Sept. 17, 2010, with a reception from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., and runs through Dec. 17.

The exhibition, curated by the renowned painter George Longfish (Seneca/Tuscarora), features a wide range of media by indigenous people who have lived and/or worked in New England: the culturally layered encaustics of Gina Adams (Ojibwa), the powerful stone sculpture of Tim Shay (Penobscot), the whimsical ash and pantyhose baskets of Judy Dow (Abenaki).

Longfish has shown his work around the world, including at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. He was professor of Native American art, and director of the C.N. Gorman Museum, at the University of California-Davis for 30 years. Since moving to southern Maine in 2003, Longfish has been increasingly interested in helping his northeastern colleagues highlight their work.

"First Nations, Lasting Nations" brings together scholars, Native American activists and community members interested in sharing knowledge about partnerships between New England universities and Native American communities.  For more information on the conference call (603)-862-2466 or visit www.neculture.org/indigenous.html, or the University Museum, (603)-862-1081.

The University Museum, located on level one in Dimond Library, is open Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday noon - 4 p.m.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.
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