Peoples of the Plateau: Through the Lens Past and Present

January 11 – March 7, 2009

Lee Moorhouse, Dr. Whirlwind, Cayuse Tribe, circa 1905. Division of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Library System, PH036-4097.

The Larson Gallery is pleased to present Through the Lens Past and Present in conjunction with the city-wide celebration Yakima Honors Peoples of the Plateau. Larson Gallery’s exhibition is composed of two installations of photographs both historic and contemporary.

The first of these installations is an exhibition titled Peoples of the Plateau, curated by Steve Grafe of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, consisting of 51 black and white photographs taken by Lee Moorhouse between 1898 and 1915. These photographs are reproduced from the original glass plates and offer a poignant view of Native American people a century ago. Catalogs of the exhibition are available for purchase.

The second component of the exhibition features 51 photographs taken by six Native American students attending Heritage University. Photographs by Kim Agiak, Nicole George, Kendall Mansfield, Brian Pinkham, Michael Sekaquaptewa, and Mallorie Yates are presented and are augmented by a brochure.

The students were mentored by local teacher and photographer Rob Prout with assistance from Carolyn Nelson, Chair of the Visual Art Department at Heritage University, with the support of Heritage University President Dr. Kathleen Ross, snjm.

Mysteries of the Amazon

January 17 – February 23, 2019

Opening Reception Thursday, January 17, 2018 5-7pm

This exhibition features paintings by Peruvian artist Pablo Amaringo and his students from the collection of Scott Olsen, Ph.D. Completed 2001-2016, the large-scale, acrylic paintings are considered to be some of the best examples of Mestizo vegetalista and ayahuasquero shamanism. Exhibiting brilliant use of color, the paintings depict the plant, animal and human deva-like (or angelic) spirits encountered in deep ceremonial visionary experiences.

Scott Olsen is a professor of Philosophy and Religion at the College of Central Florida

This exhibit made possible through the sponsorship of the Yakima Valley Community Foundation.

Brian Pinkham, Karina, Color Photograph. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Image themes focus on students’ lives within the Yakama Nation and provide a vibrant visual counterpoint to the Moorhouse photographs taken a century ago. Students began to meet and take photographs in February 2008 and completed their project in May 2008.

The dynamic between the Moorhouse photos and the student images provides opportunities to better understand the true nature of our Native American population and help to dispel stereotypic perceptions of the Yakama people and their culture. The photographs in this dynamic exhibition ultimately reveal stories, customs, family relationships, and personal perspectives.

Through the Lens Past and Present is made possible by donations from:
Banner Bank, CPC International Apple Company, Heritage University, Labbeemint Incorporated, Moss-Adams LLP, Parker Foundation, Rob and Michelle Wyles, Yakima Valley Community College, and a grant from Humanities Washington