Award-Winning Art by Native American Students Now on Exhibit November 20, 2009

Award-winning works from a national Native American student art competition are on display through December 22 at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central Street, Evanston.

"Tradition is My Life, Education is My Future" was the theme for this year's 5th Annual Native American Student Artist Competition, organized by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Indian Education.

The traveling exhibit of award-winning entries consists of 21 matted and framed art pieces by students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and a book of personal essays by students in grades six through 12. The exhibit opened November 21 in the Mitchell Museum's second-floor Teaching Lodge. It was previously on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, the Oklahoma History Center, and other venues.

The third-place winner in the pre-kindergarten art category was a piece titled "My Love" by Amber Roy of Chicago, who is of Northern Paiute and M'Chigeeng Ojibwe descent.

According to the Education Department, the goal of the program is "inspiring students to explore the connection between their education and culture through art and writing."

The competition is open to all American Indian and Alaska Native students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

Admission to the exhibit is included with museum admission, which is $5 for adults; $2.50 for children, students, teachers (with valid school ID), and seniors; $10 maximum per family group. Admission is free on the first Friday of every month. Mitchell Museum members are admitted free at all times. For information, phone (847) 475-1030. Web site: http://www.mitchellmuseum.org.

Official Website: http://www.mitchellmuseum.org