Misericordia will host an art exhibit about stereotypes of Native Americans from Sept. 5 through Oct. 22 in the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, located on the second floor of Insalaco Hall.

Dr. Lalaine Little, director of the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, chose the most recent gallery three years in advance due to it being curated by a larger organization.

The “Savages and Princess: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes” exhibit was curated by America Meredith, editor of First American Art Magazine and artist from Oklahoma, in 2016, according to Kaitlin Hall, public relations coordinator, and Dr. Little.

Meredith collected artwork from 12 Native American artists which has been circulating through the “ExhibitsUSA” program of the Mid-American Art Alliance for seven years. The artists are K.H. Poole, Juanita Pahdopony, Hoka Skenandore, Micah Wesley, Matthew Bearden, Heidi BigKnife, Anita Fields, Karin Walkingstick, Mel Cornshucker, Shan Goshorn, Tom Farris, and Zachary Presley.

“The show is all about Native American stereotypes,” said Dr. Little. “It is great to have a show like this at the university because we have people who might have misconceptions about moving to rural areas and about Native Americans.

“If you are not Native, the only exposure you have would be to old-time western movies,” she continued. “There are more shows on American Indians, and there are reservation documentaries on Hulu. Now that there are more Native American artistic directors, we can represent more.”

The show is specifically curated to the season, according to Dr. Little.

“I like to show Native American artwork in early fall to hit Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 9,” she said.

One stereotype included in the exhibit is the idea that Native Americans are drunk and cigar-smoking people who wear large head pieces made with feathers. This stereotype can be seen in Juanita Pahdopony’s two artworks called, “Kitsch Me, I’m Indian!” and “Straight Outta Texas.”

Her work, “Kitsch Me, I’m Indian!” is a cast concrete and acrylic statue of a Native American with a feathery head piece. “Straight Outta Texas” is a painted wooden cigar box featuring two Native American women.

Another stereotype included is that Native Americans are violent and uncivilized people, a stereotype represented in the artwork of Micah Wesley where there is a “wall of scalps with black hair” in the piece, “Redskin: Our Scalps, Your Honor.”

Three other pieces of art showcase stereotypes, as well.

Matthew Bearden has two works that represent the use of Native Americans as mascot names for football teams. One work is called, “NDN Nations” from the series “Sacred Mascots” and the other work is called, “Grandpa Johnny Bruno” from the same series.

“The two football helmets have artwork with stereotypes as a way to protest it,” Dr. Little stated when describing the pieces.

The third artwork, made from ceramic, is meant to look like a board game, but has different interpretations of Native Americans in several movies and shows. The piece by Karin Walkingstick is called, “Games People Play.”

According to Dr. Little, “We have early encounters of Native Americans, and the ‘Games People Play’ shows how early we need to educate ourselves about Native American culture.”

Dr Little encourages all students to stop by and browse the exhibit.

“It is important to see different art that is difficult for students to see normally,” she said.

Gallery hours are noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. All other times are by appointment only.

There will also be a free artmaking event with live music by Professor Patrick Temple from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21.