The Tyler Art Gallery in Tyler Hall will welcome its newest exhibition, “Native New York,” during an opening ceremony Oct. 8 at 5 p.m.

The exhibit will feature art from around 35 named contemporary artists as well as a number of uncredited historical pieces. The “Native New York” exhibition is designed to highlight the diversity and “dynamic character” of contemporary Haudenosaunee art, a news brief from SUNY Oswego said. 

The exhibit aims to capture the resilience and creativity of contemporary Haudenosaunee artists, and takes a closer look at the legacy of the art and culture. 

Curated over the past year, the exhibit reflects the Institute for Global Engagement’s 2020 theme “First Nations.” The Institute for Global Engagement aims to promote scholarly and creative collaborations to expand awareness and further intercultural understanding. The “First Nations” also aimed to reflect on the Native American land occupation. 

SUNY Oswego professor of Art History, Lisa Seppi, reflected on the meaning of the exhibit in relation to  this theme as well as SUNY Oswego’s Grand Challenge, “Race, Racism and Social Justice.”

“This is a really important exhibition in terms of both of these campus-wide events,” Seppi said. “The goal of this show is to impart knowledge and teach audiences who are unfamiliar with the art, with the Haudenosaunee as a people, and introduce them to some of the artists who are right in our backyard.”

“Native New York” presents contemporary art in an informative context. Gallery director Michael Flanagan has worked closely with this exhibit over the course of the year and it excites him as it stands out as a opportunity for education. 

“This art reflects the identity to being Native American and reflects traditional forms of bead-making and basket-making,” Flanagan said. “It is a great opportunity for teaching and expanding misconceptions.”

In addition to educating audiences, Seppi included her students in the exhibition process, having them write the descriptors for the exhibit. The research and analysis of the exhibit pieces by her students allowed for another level of involvement.

“A lot of [my students] were really excited about this opportunity, a lot of them are artists, a few of them were museum studies majors, some were art history majors and then I had a couple of [graduate] students,” Seppi said. “What I think was really exciting and challenging was leading them through understanding the history and culture, the cultural awareness and behaving, thinking and talking in a way that is inclusive. They really delved into the challenge of researching these artists.”

The “Native New York” exhibit is the first exhibit on view during the academic year at the Tyler Art Gallery. Following an opening reception Oct. 8 at 5 p.m., the exhibit will be opened during Tyler Art Gallery’s operating hours, Wednesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Nov. 14. Seppi encourages those who are interested in learning something new to visit the exhibit.  

“Whatever assumptions [viewers] have on what Native American art should look like, this exhibit will change their minds.”