Osage Drum exhibition at First Americans Museum OKC

First Americans Musuem (FAM), with support by the Osage Nation Museum and the Osage Nation Foundation, announces the opening of the “Voices from the Drum” traveling exhibition. The exhibition, on display in the Community Gallery at First Americans Museum through March 31, 2023, features 20 Osage drum examples and shares the important role of the instruments within the Osage community. The exhibit was developed specifically to share the Osage culture with those who might not have been able to experience it firsthand.

“(The Osage drum exhibit) is carefully and thoughtfully curated to communicate the value and importance of the drum in Osage culture and to allow those seeing the exhibit to see and feel what it is like to be a part of an Osage dance or other cultural event where the drum takes center stage,” Bill Webb, executive director at the Osage Nation Foundation, said.

“Voices from the Drum” is thematically arranged to examine how the artists approached the drum through their culture, their artistic vision, and in relationship to the annual I Lonschka dance. In addition to the 20 drums, the exhibition also includes fine art and a digital display.

“With the drum at the center of the dialogue, participating artists articulate Osage experiences around the drum through visual narratives,” Marla K. Redcorn-Miller, Osage Nation Museum director, said. “Their resulting collaborative works of art offer a path of understanding to a cultural item that has long kept our people together.”

The Osage drum exhibit assembles the creativity, knowledge and talent of 19 practicing artists including: Norman Akers, Dante Biss-Grayson, Joe Don Brave, June Carpenter, Sarah Elsberry, Anita Fields, Yatika Fields, Jessica Moore Harjo, Kilan Jacobs, Jonathan Lunsford, Harleigh Moore, Ted Moore, Vanessa Moore, Rock Pipestem, Wendy Ponca, Alex Ponca Stock, Jon Red Corn, Addie Roanhorse, and Jennifer Tiger.

“Presenting this exhibition for FAM audiences aligns with our commitment to sharing the diversity, stories, and contributions of First American people,” Dr. heather ahtone (Choctaw/Chickasaw), FAM director of Curatorial Affairs, said.

A panel discussion will be followed by a reception and a guided tour of the exhibition by curator Marla Redcorn-Miller on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. The exhibition is free to the public, no gallery admission required. For more details visit www.famok.org.

About First Americans Museum

The mission of FAM is to educate the broader public about the unique cultures, diversity, history, and contributions of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma today. The 175,000 square foot facility showcases state-of-the-art exhibitions in history, culture, and art; live public and education programs; a full-service restaurant presenting unique Native inspired cuisine; and a museum store featuring one-of-a-kind hand-made items created by Oklahoma’s premier Native American artists.

About The Osage Nation Foundation

The Osage Nation Foundation primarily works to promote and enhance the general welfare of the people of the Osage Nation by supporting cultural, educational, health, historical, community and other appropriate activities and programs. Our funding supports projects directly impacting and benefiting Osage Nation members, particularly artists and youth, in addition to causes and activities supporting the communities where Osage live and work. The projects we support are intended to have definable and measurable outcomes and make a meaningful and lasting difference in and around the Osage Nation.

About the Osage Nation Museum

Visit the Osage Nation Museum (ONM) in historic Pawhuska, Oklahoma. As the oldest tribal museum in America (est. 1938), the ONM is a unique space where past and present converge. Located at the heart of the Osage Nation, the museum is a place of gathering, community, and sharing the enduring story of the Osage. The institution’s exhibits and programs are a vibrant reflection of the proud heritage of the Osage Nation.