John Julius Wilnoty, Beetle, oak burl wood carving, 4.25 x 9 x 4.625 inches
The WCU Fine Art Museum opens the exhibition Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert Wilson, featuring over 140 works of contemporary Native American art from the collection of one of Western North Carolina’s most notable art enthusiasts. Lambert Wilson, who devoted his life to supporting and encouraging Native artists, amassed an extensive collection during his lifetime, focusing primarily on artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Cherokee Nation, and sovereign nations of the Southwest. This exhibition brings together a selection of baskets, pottery, carving, painting, photography, and more that tell the story of the relationships Wilson built and the impact that he made by dedicating himself to this remarkable collection. Spark of the Eagle Dancer will be on view from August 8 through December 8, 2023.