The Montana State University Office of the President and the College of Arts and Architecture present “Creative Nations,” a series of engaging events held from February through the first week of April to celebrate Native arts and creativity. All events are free and open to the public.
 
Among the highlights are: a lecture by celebrated Indian author Sherman Alexie on March 28 in the Emerson’s Crawford Theater; a performance of the Sun Dance Opera Recital on March 24; a screening of the film “Winter in the Blood” with Alexie, film directors Alex and Andrew Smith and actor Chaske Spencer, star of the film on March 29; and a screening of a documentary April 1 about Native activist LaDonna Harris followed by a panel featuring Harris, MSU President Waded Cruzado, professor emeritus Henrietta Mann and Denise Juneau, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  MSU graduate Joe Horse Capture, associate curator of the Collections Research and Documentation Department at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian will lecture on March 31.
 
"We have planned for this year’s President’s Fine Arts Series since my arrival at MSU,” said Nancy Cornwell, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture. “It feels timely, important, and absolutely humbling to present such caliber of artistic work.  Whether you attend a performance, a lecture, a film or art exhibits, you will leave this year's President’s Fine Arts Series with a sense of wonder and an a deeper appreciation for the creative contributions of Native American artists.
 
Cruzado said the theme for this year’s series is in keeping with MSU’s continued commitment to Native students, programs, scholarships and issues.
 
“Each event in the series demonstrates the beauty and strength of the Native American communities through authentic stories, creatively told,” Cruzado said.
 
The series kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 18 with a lecture on sacred design featuring MSU alumni and celebrated Native architects, Dennis Sun Rhodes and Richard Wyman Smith. The series ends with the MSU Pow Wow, April 3-4.
 
For a full schedule and more information, go to: http://www.montana.edu/caa/pfas/index.html