UNC Asheville's Blowers Gallery Hosts Traveling Photography Exhibition;
Show Features Images of Native Americans by Local Artist Tracey Schmidt

Image from "The Awakening of Turtle Island"

"The Awakening of Turtle Island: Portraits of Native Americans," an award-winning exhibition of color photographs by local artist Tracey Schmidt, will be on view November 1-30 at UNC Asheville's Blowers Gallery. An opening reception will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the gallery. At 6:30 p.m. Schmidt will describe her work with museums and cultural centers. At 7:30 p.m. Amy Walker, a Cherokee-Lakota elder and subject in the exhibition, will talk about her experiences with traditional healing ceremonies and the Native lifeway. The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.

"The Awakening of Turtle Island" has been exhibited in museums and cultural centers across the southeast since 1995. It won the Regional Designation Award in the Humanities. Images in the exhibition feature Native Americans in traditional regalia or contemporary clothing accompanied by in-depth text panels.

The exhibition is presented in coordination with UNC Asheville’s annual Native American Heritage Month observation.

Blowers Gallery, located on the main floor of UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library, is open during regular library hours. For hours of operation, call UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library at 828/251-6546.

Media Contacts:

• Nancy Hayes, UNC Asheville Blowers Gallery Director, 828/251-6436
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526