New SAR Fellows

The School for Advanced Research (SAR) offers three artist-in-residence fellowships annually to advance the work of mature and emerging Native artists. The fellowships give artists time to explore new avenues of creativity, grapple with new ideas to further advance their work, and to strengthen existing talents. While in residence, the artists can access the School’s Indian Arts Research Center (IARC) collection of Native arts for research and study.

SAR is pleased to announce the 2010–2011 Native Artist Fellows:

2010 Ronald and Susan Dubin Native Artist Fellow
Duane Slick—Slick is a Mesqwaki painter whose current body of work features black-and-white photo-realist paintings on linen and glass. His works have been described as “dream paintings whose aim is the exploration of matters spiritual, not physical.” While at SAR, Slick will work to produce four to five black-and-white paintings based on his research in the IARC collections. This will serve as an inspiration for his visual narratives on memory and loss. He will be in residence from June 15–August 16, 2010.

2010 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellow
Aric Chopito—As one of the few weavers in Zuni Pueblo today, Chopito strongly believes in perfecting his weaving techniques and passing on his knowledge to future generations. At SAR, Chopito will be working on a project to create a kilt using a semi-brocade technique. This will allow the whole kilt fabric and design to be woven together. He intends to research textiles in the IARC collection as inspiration for his kilt. Chopito will be in residence from September 1–December 1, 2010.

2011 Eric and Barbara Dobkin Native Artist Fellow
Linda Aguilar—Chumash basketmaker Linda Aguilar uses traditional techniques to create her unique horsehair and waxed thread baskets. Her works can be found in the collection of several Nobel Peace Prize winners such as Nelson Mandela and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. While at SAR, Linda will be working on several baskets, which may come together to form an installation. According to her, “We have a saying ‘outside the box’...I will work ‘outside the basket’ creatively using various skills I have.” Aguilar will be in residence from March 1–May 31, 2011.

The Native Artist fellowships support diverse creative disciplines. Recent fellows have included Robert Mirabal (writer/musician), Marcus Amerman (beadworker), Armand Fritz (katsina carver), Cedar Sherbert (filmmaker), Erica Lord (performance artist), Pat Courtney Gold (basket maker), Estella Loretto (sculptor), Michael Bird Romero (jeweler/silversmith), Ramson Lomatewama (glassblower), and Marla Allison (painter).