“Art is a war within myself.” —Choctaw artist Marcus Amerman

14th Annual Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market
Featuring Marcus Amerman
June 24-25
Tickets and info: 317-636-WEST or www.eiteljorg.org
 

The 14th Annual Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market is June 24-25, showcasing the art, food and traditions of Native Americans, with performances and hands-on activities for all ages. The two-day celebration takes place behind the museum on the lush grounds of Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. The Eiteljorg event is recognized as the Midwest’s largest Indian market and juried show, attracting crowds of 8,000 and more than 200 artists from 60 tribes across the U.S. and Canada.

And it’s growing every year, according to Jaq Nigg, festivals manager for the Eiteljorg. “It’s grown in the number and quality of artists, and we’re getting a good, primarily regional audience.”

One of the artists is Marcus Amerman, a Santa Fe-based Choctaw internationally renowned for his bold, pictorial-style beadwork. Each year museum staff select an individual artist to feature during the festive summer event. “It gives us an opportunity to promote an artist’s work,” explains Jennifer McNutt, curator of contemporary art at the Eiteljorg. She says the Eiteljorg’s “hallmark” is based on promoting younger, emerging artists, but established artists are sometimes chosen. She believes Amerman is a good choice, partly because of his versatility, but also because he blends traditional methodology with contemporary subject matter.

A veteran of more than 40 exhibitions, this award-winning artist’s work appears in numerous galleries across the nation, including the Smithsonian Institution, where Amerman received a residency; the National Museum of the American Indian; the Heard Museum; the National Museum of Natural History; and the Institute of American Indian Arts.

“Showing in galleries is like stealing ponies,” Amerman analogizes. “It’s an outlet to prestige: honors won in battle … Art is a war within myself. It’s like a warrior’s attitude towards war, but instead of taking on opponents, I challenge myself with different techniques, materials, artforms and ideas. When I seek and find that new idea which is both beautiful and powerful, then I take it on. I confront it, fearlessly.”

As the featured artist, Amerman will have a booth, sign autographs and stage an exhibit in the museum, part of which will join the Eiteljorg’s permanent collection. “I love it: a one-man show! I feel like a celebrity,” he chuckles. “I’ve never seen this much of my work together in one place. Usually I’m part of a group show.”

Looking forward to the Indianapolis event, where he served as judge last year, the Phoenix-born man says, “Santa Fe’s market is the biggest, but the art is stagnant because of tenure; they don’t re-jury every year. That restricts young blood. The Eiteljorg is open to everyone. They’re the third-largest market, so they try harder.”