Derek Maiolo, a reporter for the Register-Guard, writes “Conversations in the Round House: Routes, Roads and Remembrances,” the newest exhibit at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon (UO).
Twelve contemporary Native American artists are featured specifically to complement the themes in this year’s UO common reading book “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich.
“It is meant to be a visual experience for students to be thinking about and enhance their understanding of the book,” said Danielle Knapp, a curator of the exhibit. Artists featured include Rick Bartow, Marie Watt, James Lavadour and Wendy Red Star.
Author Louise Erdrich, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians in North Dakota, wrote this fictional coming-of-age story about Joe Coutts, a young member of the same tribe. She based the book on Native American stories and focused on traditional characters and settings. The book is a National Book Award winner and a New York Times Bestseller.