Native Views, Native Visions was an exhibition of contemporary artwork by Native American artists, featuring key works from the Center’s permanent collections. Many of the pieces were donated by Bill and Sue Hensler, while others came from the collection of Ken and Nancy Goodhue-McWilliams. Additional works were contributed by individuals who held Fort Lewis College and its commitment to Native American education in high regard and who chose the Center of Southwest Studies as the home for their collections.
Several notable acquisitions on display included works by Pablita Velarde, her daughter Helen Hardin, and granddaughter Margerite Bagshaw. The exhibition featured paintings, drawings, and prints, complemented by selected works in other media.
The exhibition celebrated the diverse artistic and cultural perspectives of Native artists by focusing on their individual portrayals of the natural and spiritual worlds. The selections extended beyond the art of the Southwest to honor Fort Lewis College’s Sacred Trust, which reaches many Native peoples, and to foster appreciation and dialogue among viewers. Fort Lewis College students played a leadership role in selecting the artworks and producing the exhibition.