UMEC highlights local Native American artist

November is Native American Heritage Month. To recognize Native American culture, The Unity Multicultural Education Center has brought several talented individuals to Gonzaga.

One of the artists included, Ric Gendron, an Inland Northwest Native American artist, came to share his artwork and cultural perspective.

Gendron's artwork, which encompasses a vast array of colors, represents the beauty in humanity, but also introduces a dark and twisted side: showing the ugliness in humanity.

"I just try to show the raw nature of mankind or womankind and as humans," Gendron said.

Gendron steered away from the romanticized artwork that is often made by Native American artists and relied on music and the influence of human nature to affect his work.

"I do a lot of musicians because I'm a musician myself," Gendron said.

Music has been a tool in Gendron's professional life as an artist. His family had a lot to do with Gendron's involvement in music. His father played in country western bands, his brother played in blues bands and Gendron played guitar in bars.

Gendron has been involved in art his whole life. He began having a strong passion for it when he was a child, but didn't make it his profession until 26 years ago.

He developed his skills later in life while attending Spokane Falls Community College, and then transferring to Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. According to Gendron, he still continues to go to workshops to further develop his abilities.

Gendron's work is in the permanent collection at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and has won awards the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Indian Market and Indian Northwest in Portland, Ore., according to the Tinman Gallery's website.

Deb Ellis, program assistant at UMEC, was one of the individuals responsible for bringing Gendron and his artwork to campus. According to Ellis, she knew of him through the art scene in Spokane.

Gendron's exhibit is one of few presentations that will coincide with Native American Heritage Month, according to Ellis.

UMEC's goals for the exhibit were to expose students to a new style of art and introduce a Native American artist.

"To be aware of one regional artist who is Native American who's from one of the tribes here and expose us to a new style of art." Ellis said.

Gendron's artwork is showcased at Tinman Gallery, located on Garland Ave., and he has some of his art at the Ruby in downtown Spokane. Gendron also travels to events, like at Gonzaga, to showcase his work.

Jason Lloreta, a sophomore who works for UMEC, helped prepare for the event and designed fliers.

Lloreta said UMEC has had an impact on his life at Gonzaga, and he said the artists and presentations that have come to Gonzaga have influenced him.

"Through the events they put on, I just learn about other cultures and gain a lot more perspective on things," Lloreta said.