Red Earth Museum staying open late Thursdays in December, opens "Indian Pony" exhibit

"Winds of War," acrylic on canvass by Gary Montgomery (Seminole), is part of the Red Earth Museum's "The Indian Pony" exhibit.

As part of Downtown Thursdays in December, the Red Earth Museum and Gallery is staying open until 7 tonight and every Thursday this month.

The event will give art lovers added time to see the newest exhibit at the museum, 6 Santa Fe Plaza.

Twenty original paintings and select historical artifacts from the permanent Red Earth Museum collection are currently on display in the exhibit “The Indian Pony.”

The North American Plains Indians acquired their first horses, and the knowledge of how to handle them, through trade with the Indians of the Southwest who interacted with Spanish explorers in the 17th Century.

The lives of Plains Indians were transformed as horses gave them an advantage when hunting; especially buffalo, the main staple of life in the area bounded by the Rockies and the Mississippi River. For generations Indian ponies have captured the imagination of artists, authors and screenwriters.

“The Indian Pony” at the Red Earth Museum showcases American Indian artists from Oklahoma, and their visions of the horse in Indian culture.

Nine American Indian fine artists, including 2010 Red Earth Festival Grand Award winner Gary Montgomery (Seminole), are featured in the exhibition. Other artists showcased include Frank Sheridan (Cheyenne), Johnny Tiger, Jr (Creek/Seminole), Ron Geionety (Comanche), Whitebuffalo (Kiowa), Tartsah (Kiowa), Jerome Tiger (Creek/Seminole), Doc Tate Nevequaya (Comanche) and Virginia Stroud (Cherokee).