Now at the Macky Gallery
NEVER VANISHING
Reclaiming Indigenous Relatives, Landscapes, and Resilience in the American Southwest
Sep 28 - Nov 20
A joint installation with the Center for the American West,Never Vanishing features commissioned works from three local indigenous artists—JayCee Beyale (¶Ù¾±²Ôé), Chelsea Kaiah (White River Ute & White Mountain Apache), and Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand (Sicangu Lakota and Cherokee)—who seek to challenge the persistent myths of the American West, especially as they emerged from the work of author and filmmaker Zane Grey.
In the early 20th century, novelist Zane Grey wrote prolifically about the American Southwest, depicting it as a romantic, barren landscape ripe for exploration and adventure. Eventually turning his novels into films, Grey's work further perpetuated ideas of Native people as "vanishing" with the arrival of American settlers.
Now in response, exhibiting artists Beyale, Kaiah and Maldonado Bad Hand offer contemporary works that seek to reclaim relatives, landscapes and pressing concerns of indigenous communities in the Southwest from the mystique Grey built around them. In doing so, the original artworks in Never Vanishing highlight Native survival, creativity and resilience.
Visit the Center for the American West website for more on this exhibit, artist bios and upcoming events. This exhibit is part of the 2026 Culture Crawl.