Osage Nation Museum holds opening reception for a new exhibit.

Pawhuska, Okla. (9/9/2016) – The Osage Nation Museum (ONM) will host an Opening Reception on Saturday, October 15th for a new exhibit. “Carl Ponca: A Retrospective” will run thru January 21st, 2017.

Carl Ponca encapsulated the word Artist,: Osage, Painter, Sculptor, Sketch Artist, Glass Blower, Arts Advocate & Educator, Museum Curator and Inventor; Carl Ponca was all of these things and more. Ponca dedicated his life to the arts.

Ponca is being honored posthumously by the ONM for his lifetime dedication to the arts. In the course of his life, Ponca created numerous works of art in a variety of mediums. The ONM is proud to present the work of a talented Osage artist, educator and one-time previous director of the ONM.

Ms. Winter said “This exhibition is a tribute to a man that dedicated his life to art and education. Carl Ponca once said, “This Museum (Osage Nation Museum) has helped us (the Osage people) survive as a culturally distinct people.” One of our goals here at the ONM is to promote and exhibit Osage Artists. As a former Curator of the ONM it is only fitting that a retrospective of Carl Ponca’s work be shown here, in a building where he once worked and curated exhibitions, for the people that he so dearly loved.”

This exhibition has been a collaborative effort between Hallie Winter, ONM Curator, and Mr. Ponca’s family. Carl Ponca’s daughters Wendy and Felicia Ponca and Ponca’s first wife, Barbara Ponca have loaned all of the artwork to the ONM for this exhibition. His Granddaughter, Alexandra Ponca Stock, has designed the catalogue that will be available for purchase. Wendy Ponca said “My father inspired all of his family, students, and his acquaintances to love and explore the arts with his natural teaching abilities and gift of speech. He was an Osage who knew and told us the Osage oral history that had been passed down from his grandparents and other relatives. This was a priceless gift. It is a fitting tribute that his first show after his death is being held at the Osage Nation Museum.”