Award-winning Indian Heritage artwork displayed in Gardnerville

Carson City artist Ray Freeman recently was awarded the Indian Heritage Award at the 24th annual Western Art Roundup Buckaroo Heritage Show in Winnemucca. The award is given to the best work of art in the show that depicts Native Americans, their nobility and heritage. The annual show is held at the Winnemucca Events Center in conjunction with the Humboldt County Fair and Rodeo, and a celebration for induction into the Buckaroo Hall of Fame.

Artists are juried into the show by supplying photographic examples of their work and successful applicants are allowed to set up a display booth of their work for the duration of the celebrations. The Western Art Roundup is exclusively a western art show, in which all artwork must depict the Native American heritage, buckaroo heritage, pioneer heritage, and the lifestyle of the western rancher.

Freeman's painting, "Louise, Canyon De Chelly," is a portrait of a 90-year-old Navajo woman who lives and herds her small band of sheep and goats in the canyon. Canyon De Chelly is located in the northeastern corner of Arizona. Freeman met Louise while touring the canyon this summer and, through an interpreter, Louise agreed to being photographed for a future painting. Between her lined face, skeptical gaze, and the native Navajo dress and jewelry, the image was irresistible to Freeman who loves to paint portraits of people with character.

Freeman was also awarded an honorable mention at the show for his oil painting of a Nevada sunset. Both works, along with others, ranging from local landscapes to other portraits, can be viewed at Artistic Viewpoints Gallery and Studio, 1368 Highway 395, Building B in Gardnerville (across from Raley's).

Freeman also teaches an oil painting class Tuesday mornings at the gallery and will be teaching a two-day portrait workshop from a live model on Nov. 4-5. Call 783-0633 for more information.