CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The term “grounded” is used to describe something or someone that is well-balanced and realistic.
To the 15 contemporary Native American artists featured in the “Grounded” art exhibition, the word represents an intimate and important relationship between the earth and its inhabitants.
Their colorful and unique depictions of what it means to be grounded are on display at the Wyoming State Museum from March 31 to May 20.
The touring exhibition is organized by ArtSpirit, the arts initiative of the Episcopal Church in Wyoming, and Caravan, a global arts nonprofit.
“[‘Grounded’] is an exhibition of creative expressions nurturing that sacred connection towards groundedness and more intentional and responsible living,” said Paul-Gordon Chandler, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming and founder of Caravan.
The artists come from eight tribes based in and around the Great Plains, including the Blackfeet, Northern Arapaho and Cheyenne.
“Grounded” was previously on display in Lander and Casper. Following its stint at the State Museum, the collection will be shown at cultural art centers in Jackson, Worland and Rock Springs.
Hundreds of Cheyenne community members attended the show’s opening reception at the museum Thursday night.
They watched members of the Wind River Reservation perform a sacred drum ceremony to honor the event and listened to organizers speak about the importance of “Grounded.”
As the world faces “multi-faceted crises,” Chandler said, it is important for people to form healthy relationships with one another as well as the earth.
Wyomingites have a “tremendous amount” to learn from Indigenous people, he added, who value interconnectedness and have a “living relationship” with nature.
“The exhibition couldn’t be more timely,” Chandler said during the reception.
Robert Martinez, the artistic curator for the exhibit, said it provides artists with the opportunity to share their Indigenous culture and heritages with others.
“The Indigenous grounded connection goes beyond all of these artworks,” he said during the reception. “[We’ve] created opportunities to mentor emerging artists and to pass on their skills and education views about their specific customs, stories and cultural ways.”
The State Museum held its first Native American contemporary art showcase, titled “We Are We Are,” in 2017. “We Are We Are” was created by members of the Creative Indigenous Collective and the Northern Arapaho Artists Society.
Martinez, the founder of both organizations, said he is proud to bring another Indigenous art collection to Wyoming’s capital.
“It’s long overdue,” he said, “but it’s great to be back.”
The Wyoming State Museum is located at 2301 Central Ave. and is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
