Kelly Church

April 2005 • Crucible Steel Gallery • 2050 Bryant St., San Francisco

Kelly Church
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Statement

I am an enrolled member of my grandmother's tribe, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Chippewa Indians from Michigan. My grandmother is half-Ojibwe and half-Ottawa and my grandfather is Gun Lake Potawatomi from Michigan. These three tribes make up the Confederation of the "Three Fires."

I study and teach about our oral traditions and about our native Algonquin language. Our youth today should learn and pass on the stories and language before it is too late. By incorporating our oral histories in my paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculpture, I help teach and preserve the culture and maybe make someone who was unaware of the Mannishness and their culture more aware that we are still here today.

Humor is an important part of Native culture and healing. If we were not able to come together and laugh at ourselves, the pain would seem too real. I want to help teach non-natives about today's Native Americans - the many different tribes and cultures - and to help dispel the Hollywood images. I study such Native writers as Basil Johnston and our community elders. While I am inspired greatly by Woodland artists such as Norval Morriseau and Peter Migwams, I explore new styles and media. An Annihilable trickster hero, Nanabozo has been a compelling source of stories, teaching humanity - humility - survival. We are survivors. And I think we can make a difference in making better days ahead.

Vita

Exhibitions

2004	Ziibiwing Annual Art Show, Ziibiwing Center, Mt. Pleasant MI Annual participant since 2000
2004	Indian Market, Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, Santa Fe NM Annual participant since 1999
2004	Red Earth Festival, Red Earth Indian Center, Oklahoma City OK
2003	Eiteljorg Art Market, Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis IN
1999	Three Sisters, Jacobson House Native Art Center, Norman OK
1999	Trail of Tears Show, Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah OK
1999	MFA Candidates Show, Student Gallery, WMU, Kalamazoo MI
1998	University of Michigan Student Summer Show, Ann Arbor MI
1996	University of Michigan BFA Show, Rockham Gallery, Ann Arbor MI
1996	IAIA Graduation Show, IAIA Museum, Santa Fe NM
1996	We Are All Related, IAIA Museum, Santa Fe NM
1995	Earth Spirits, IAIA Museum, Santa Fe NM

Honors

1999	Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Award

Education

1998-9	Western Michigan University: Kalamazoo MI. Graduate studies, painting
1996-8	University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI. BFA, painting
1995-6	Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe NM. AFA, painting

Presentations

1997	United Methodist Church, Grand Lodge MI
1996-7	Northside Elementary, Ann Arbor MI
1994	Northward Elementary, Allegan MI
1992-3	Our Place Pre-School, Allegan MI. Workshop and crafts.

Community Involvement

2003-5	Allegan County Children's Museum, Allegan MI Board of directors
2004	Cherokee Homecoming, Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah OK Judged competitive art show
1997-9	Dance for Mother Earth, University of Michigan Powwow, Ann Arbor MI. Operated booth of crafts
1997-8	Honoring the Circle, Western Michigan University Powwow, Kalamazoo MI
1997	Scheimitzen Powwow, Hartford CT