SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Nov. 12, 2009) – The Betty Strong Encounter Center will host an illustrated lecture by Oglala Lakota artist Arthur Amiotte at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 in the Stanley Evans Auditorium. Admission will be free.

Amiotte is regarded as one of the most influential artists portraying Lakota life, thought and philosophy in the Northern Plains region. His collage, "Vests,” is featured in "Encounters in Native Arts," an exhibition of traditional and contemporary tribal art and historical objects from The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, S.D., at the Encounter Center through 2009.

Amiotte has ties to Sioux City. His first teaching position was at Woodrow Wilson Junior High School, 1964 to 1966, where he created "Patriotic Mural." The work was unveiled on Feb. 22, 1966.

It is not known what happened to the four-by-eight-foot mural. The school was torn down several years ago to make room for the new Irving Elementary School.

Amiotte describes his time in Sioux City as “an urban experience." His students "were from many different backgrounds: Jewish, Greek, Japanese, African-American and Hispanic. There were also children from the Winnebago, Omaha and Santee tribes," he wrote in "Arthur Amiotte, Retrospective Exhibition Continuity and Diversity," published in 2001 and edited by John A. Day, former chairperson of the Dept. of Art and dean of the College of Fine Arts at University of South Dakota.

Amiotte encouraged his Sioux City art students to draw from their own cultures just as he drew from his.

Amiotte was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and raised between the reservation and Custer, S.D. He credits his interest in tribal arts to his life on the reservation with family members as they participated in traditional tribal arts and ceremonies. He has pursued scholarship and intellectualism throughout his life.

He earned a bachelor's in art education from Northern State College, Aberdeen, S.D., and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies in anthropology, religion and art from the University of Montana where he studied with scholar Joseph Eps Brown. He holds honorary doctorates from Oglala Lakota College and Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada.

While several college professors encouraged Amiotte to pursue art as a career, Yanktonai Dakota artist Oscar Howe inspired him to use his Lakota background and culture in his artwork. He was mentored by Peter Catches, Sr., a respected elder and practitioner of sacred Oglala traditions. Amiotte taught until 1985 and then established his studio in Custer, S.D., in 1986.

Amiotte has served on numerous boards and councils. He has been honored with awards that include: the Lila Wallace Readers’ Digest Artists at Giverny, France, Fellowship; a Getty Foundation Grant; Bush Leadership Fellowship; the South Dakota Governors' Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Arts; and the Lifetime Achievement Award as Artist and Scholar from the Native American Art Studies Association. His work is in 26 public and almost 200 private collections.

In addition to Amiotte’s work, “Encounters in Native Arts” showcases pieces by Henry Beaudry, Canadian Cree; Robby McMurtry, Comanche; Wesley Nash, Apache; Rita Iringan, Dine-Filipino; Wayne Eagleboy, Onondaga; Max Coyote, Mountain Ute; and Melissa Talachy, Pojoaque Pueblo.

The Heritage Center has an extensive collection of Native fine and traditional art from across the country, including paintings, sculptures, Lakota beadwork, porcupine quillwork and clothing. Pieces from the permanent collection rotate in the gallery regularly.

The Heritage Center serves as a cultural resource for students of Red Cloud Indian School, students of the other reservation schools and for all Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It promotes appreciation of their culture among all people.