Indigenous Art Is Focus Of ‘Outcropping’ At SAC

A celebration of contemporary Shinnecock Nation artists alongside Indigenous artists from an array of sovereign nations throughout the United States, Southampton Arts Center’s (SAC) new exhibition, ‘Outcropping — Indigenous Art Now,” will address Native issues locally and across the country, highlighting shared and individual triumphs and struggles.

Curated by artist Jeremy Dennis, a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, the exhibition opens on Friday, February 4 and will be on view at SAC through April 9.

“Working with our Indigenous community has been a critical yet natural part of our work as an arts and culture center,” said SAC executive director Tom Dunn. “SAC has had the privilege of working with Shinnecock Nation members as artists and activists for various exhibitions and programs over the years. It is absolutely essential that we acknowledge this community, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations.

“Providing a platform for Indigenous voices from across the nation is work that we are not only honored to do, but have a responsibility to do,” he added. “We hope ‘Outcropping’ and the history of Indigenous peoples in this country that the show represents will inspire connection and understanding.”

Jeremy Dennis, who has previously participated as an artist in exhibitions at SAC, including the Storefront Art Project and Clearing The Air in 2021, has also collaborated on shows as a co-curator with other Indigenous artists. ‘Outcropping’ will be his first exhibition serving as the lead curator.

Dennis has noted that at a time when museums and arts centers are re-evaluating their shows, artists and collections, and becoming more aware in light of social movements, the space for underrepresented communities to make key decisions in the arts is growing.

“There is a lot of responsibility in making sure you represent everyone equally, faithfully, and with dignity,” Dennis said. “It will be really interesting and unique to have these Shinnecock artists and Indigenous artists throughout the country in this shared dialogue. An interesting statistic is that in Native American communities, an average of 30 percent of individuals are artists. That’s a pretty large economy. For the past two years here at Shinnecock, we’ve had to cancel our Pow Wow due to COVID-19. That’s 30 percent or more of our community members losing direct income. This exhibition will be an opportunity for people to show up in that Pow Wow spirit.”

Complementing and surrounding the exhibition will be talks, tours, films, workshops, and more organized by “Outcropping” ancillary programming curatorial associate and artist Shane Weeks of Shinnecock Nation.

National and regional exhibition artists taking part in the show include: Pauline Leilani Badamo, Matt Ballard, Greg Ballenger, Michael Billie, Lisa Bowen, Joe Don Brave, Tecumseh Ceaser, Leeanna Chipana, Marcus Xavier Chormicle, Mona Cliff, Selena Coverdale, Nathaniel Cummings-Lambert, Dennis Redmoon Darkeem, Jeremy Dennis, Kelly Dennis, Haley Greenfeather English, Jaida Grey Eagle, Vanessa Dion Fletcher, Kaysha Haile, Elisa Harkins, Beth Hazen, Durrell Hunter, Alex Jacobs-Blum, Margaret Jacobs, Chaz John, Jamie R. John, Matthew Kirk, Kite, Ian Kuali’i, Jay Laxton, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Ella Mahoney, David Bunn Martine, Richard Mayhew, Megan McDermott, Jenny Irene Miller, Ehren Natay, Shelley Niro, Krystyna Printup, Tricia Rainwater, Herbert Randall, Eric Roddy, Cara Romero, Denise Silva-Dennis, Skawennati, Gloria Smith, Kevin Umana, Tohanash Tarrant, Shane Weeks, and Renelle White.

Southampton Arts Center, located at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, will be open Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. beginning Friday, February 4. SAC continues to follow all New York State and CDC guidelines for all programs and events. Learn more at southamptonartscenter.org.