USD Art Galleries Hosts Donald F Montileaux as 32nd Oscar Howe Memorial Lecturer
The USD Native American Cultural Center will host a public reception from 5-6:30 p.m. Opening prayer and song will be provided by Damon P. Leader Charge. A celebration for the new mural, “We’ll be Right Behind You,” located in the Native American Cultural Center and created by Oscar Howe Curatorial fellows Lacey McLouth and Jesslyn Estes, will take place at 6:15 p.m. The Oscar Howe Gallery will be open from 8-9 p.m.
Montileaux is an Oglala Lakota Ledger artist, author and illustrator following in the footsteps of his forefather. He has rekindled ledger art with striking images that capture the unique Lakota way of life. He received his formal training at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Montileaux interned under Oscar Howe at USD.
The annual Oscar Howe Memorial Lecture was established in 1989 by USD to help perpetuate Howe's message that Native American art is a vital cultural force in today's world and to promote cutting-edge Indian art on the Northern Plains. Past Howe Memorial Lectures have featured leading scholars and artists, including Frederick Dockstader, John A. Day, Bill Anthes, Christina Burke and Tahnee M. Ahtone.
Oscar Howe, Yanktonai Dakota, served as USD artist-in-residence and art faculty member for 25 years, bringing international recognition to both the university and the state of South Dakota. Over his 40-year career, Howe earned many honors and awards, including numerous grand and first prizes in national competitions. He was designated artist laureate of South Dakota, awarded the prestigious Waite Phillips Trophy for Outstanding Contributions to American Indian Art and was recipient of the first South Dakota's Governor's Award for Creative Achievement in the Arts.
