A new exhibition celebrating Native artistry is coming to downtown Madras, and the message behind it is as powerful as the work itself: we are still here, and we still practice our culture.

Art Adventure Gallery, located at 185 SE Fifth Street in Madras, will feature works from Tananáwit, a nonprofit organization that brings together Native artists from the Warm Springs, Yakima, and Cayuse-Umatilla tribes. The exhibition runs through July and August.

About Tananáwit

Tananáwit has been operating for four years and currently represents 96 artists. The organization's name reflects a commitment to weaving together voices from multiple tribal nations. The nonprofit has collaborated with Art Adventure Gallery before — the last partnership was in 2023 — and artist outreach coordinator Natalie (Nat) Kirk said she is eager to bring these works to Madras audiences again.

"I think that the art shown is both beautiful and educational to the general public," Kirk said. "By that I mean, not everybody sees that sort of art except sometimes in museums, and artists replicate a lot of our things that are considered historical in museums. But it's out there that we still make it. We're still here, and we still practice our culture through our art."

What to Expect

The exhibit will span a wide range of media and traditional forms. According to Kirk, visitors can expect to see:

  • Paintings and prints
  • A traditional wedding veil
  • Handcrafted dolls
  • And a variety of other creations reflecting tribal artistry and culture

Gallery executive director Coralee Popp encouraged community members to come out and support the artists.

"I think everybody should come and support the tribal artists," Popp said. "Their work is beautiful."

Opening Reception

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, July 2 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Art Adventure Gallery, 185 SE Fifth Street in Madras. The event is open to the public and free to attend — a fitting kickoff to a Fourth of July weekend that also includes Pi-Ume-Sha Treaty Days just down the road in Warm Springs.

The exhibition runs through the end of August. Art Adventure Gallery hours and additional information are available by contacting the gallery directly.