CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming State Museum will host the “Pow Wow Dancers of the Wind River” exhibit from June 5 until the end of the year, according to a press release from the museum.
The photography exhibit, facilitated by artist Jeb Schneck with support from the Wyoming Arts Council, highlights Indigenous Pow Wow dancers from Wyoming’s Wind River and regional reservations. The dancers are photographed mid-movement and dramatically presented on a black background to focus on the visual drama of their stories.
Jeb’s “Dancers” project was provided critical assistance by Sharmaine Weed and Quinlin Stump of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe in making these photographs, the release states. In addition to the images, he also recorded audio with multiple dancers who shared their personal stories, connections and meanings of the dances. These intimate recordings are included with the images on display.
In the words of Willow Abrahamson of the Shoshone-Bannock, Colville, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and Kootenai tribes: “I hope that everyone who partakes of this display of indigenous culture looks at it through the eyes that we are still living our ancient ways, and we are a living culture. So, we will continue to live our ways, and we appreciate them for acknowledging us and who we are, and we thank them.”
Per the release, all images are available for purchase.
The Wyoming State Museum is free to all visitors and open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave., in Cheyenne. For more information, call 307-275-4018.
