Ucross Reception Features Native American Artists

On May 5, the Ucross Foundation hosted an artists’ talk at the Sheridan College’s Kinnison Hall, and a reception to meet the artists and curator behind the Ucross Art Gallery’s current exhibition, “Field Guide: Teresa Baker + Anthony Hudson + Jessica Mehta + Eliza Naranjo Morse.”

The exhibition features art by recent recipients of the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Visual Artists program that supports the creative process of contemporary Indigenous artists through a month-long residency at Ucross, the opportunity to present work publicly and a monetary award.

Three out of the four featured artists, as well as the curator, Andrea R. Hanley, attended the talk and reception. Artist Anthony Hudson was unable to attend.

Hanley had this to say about the event.

Jessica Mehta was at Ucross in the fall of 2021, and she talked about her artwork and her time at Ucross.

Teresa Baker displayed her basket weaving and her AstroTurf wall pieces.

Eliza Naranjo Morse, whose painting ‘Stardust’ was painted directly on one wall in the Ucross Art Gallery, talked about her time at Ucross.

Teresa Baker undoubtedly spoke for many artists when she had this to say about her Ucross experience.

“Field Guide” is on view at the Ucross Art Gallery, located at 30 Big Red Lane in Clearmont, Wyoming, through July 30. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Launched in 2017, Ucross’s Native American fellowship program was designed to support the work of contemporary Native artists and cultivate artistic leadership, capacity, and community building. The fellowship award has supported the work of Native visual artists at all stages in their professional careers. Each year, two new Fellowship recipients are selected, and each chosen artist is gifted a four-week Ucross artist residency, which includes uninterrupted time, a private studio, living accommodations, meals prepared by a professional chef, staff support and the unparalleled experience of the majestic High Plains.