This was an art residency unlike any other.
When Native American artist DG House was named the artist-in-residence this year at the Eiteljorg Museum, she anticipated the opportunity to meet with students, teachers and art lovers all over central Indiana. Meeting with people face to face is what makes the residency process so rewarding, she said.
“It’s the highest of honors. Schools are coming in to see me, I’m working with the docents, going to the libraries. I go to colleges and universities, and do lectures with students studying art,” she said. “Trusting me, working with me, think of all of the other artists they could pick. I’m always so humbled. I want to do the best for them every day I’m there.”
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The COVID-19 pandemic forced both House and the Eiteljorg Museum to use their creativity to keep the artist-in-residence program going. Instead of coming to Indianapolis, House has done virtual open studios from her home in Montana.
Local residents will be able to hear House’s story and learn more about her work during a virtual artist talk on Wednesday. She’ll share how her art journey took her from southern Ohio into the wide-open spaces of the American West, and reveal the impact natural wonders such as Yellowstone National Park have had on her.
The format of the talk, and her residency, may be different. But it will still give valuable insight into the art-making process, while allowing House to share her passion directly with people.
“The Eiteljorg Museum has put together this program as an opportunity to allow the Indianapolis area communities to experience different artists and cultures,” said Sandy Schmidt, manager of public programs at the Eiteljorg. “We work with different Native American tribes across the country and North America, and they come to the museum. They’re storytellers, musicians, culture-bearers.”
In advance of her virtual talk, House shared with the Daily Journal what has motivated her as an artist and how she’s gotten to this point in her career.
What led you toward art in the first place?
I started out as a photographer. As a teenager, I was in Cincinnati, and I’d take pictures of anything I could find. I was sent to private school, and in their art program, we even had a dark room. We learned how to make jewelry, printmaking, painting, I had all of that. So that’s how it started.
At what point did you realize you wanted to do this as a career?
The next step was working for a magazine, Hockey Weekly, out of Detroit. I covered the New York Rangers, and then for there, went into rock ‘n’ roll and photographed bands. But the big story for me, what mattered the most to me, was to be a wildlife photographer.
How did you get into that?
In 1981, I was in college at the University of Dayton, and there was a poster that said, “Spend your summer in Yellowstone.” I loved John Denver, and always wanted to go west. I got the job, got in my Pinto and drove west to Yellowstone. That job lasted six months and changed my life completely. Now, it’s almost 40 years later, and I’m one of the artists-in-residence in Yellowstone, and one of the guest American Indian artists in Grand Teton (National Park).
What captured you so much about Yellowstone?
I came out of the Midwest, and I think it all started in parks — state parks, regional parks. We’d go camping, or get a cabin every summer. That was the spark. Then picture, never having been west of Indiana, and we’re in a place where there’s bears walking in front of you, and elk, and massive hot springs, I’m literally standing in front of these. It changes your life.
How did you transition from photographer to painting?
I was 35, and I realized I had spent my whole career working in the predominant culture. I wanted to do something else, and I switched, which was terrifying. I started all over again as a painter. That’s been almost 25 years now.
How did you connect with the Eiteljorg Museum?
One of the great joys of the career has been my first time going to Indian Market at the Eiteljorg. I had heard about it from other Native artists here in Montana, and there wasn’t a negative word about it. I thought I’d try, and then all of my friends and family in Ohio were only an hour away. That very first time, I was asked if I’d come back the next year as an artist-in-residence.
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Virtual Artist Talk series: DG House
What: An online program featuring House, a Montana-based artist specializing in wildlife and nature-based painting as well as photography.
When: Noon Wednesday
How to take part: Register at https://eiteljorg.org/eiteljorg-events/virtual-artist-talk-series-dg-house-cherokee-of-ne-alabama/
Cost: Free
Information: eiteljorg.org
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