When you think of superheroes, a certain standard comes to mind. But really superheros can be anyone. Which is how it should be, and why I took my son to see Jeffrey Veregge exhibit 'Of Gods and Heroes' at National Museum of the American Indian (NYC).

Besides being wonderfully colorful and featuring some of our favorite Marvel Superheroes (wakanda forever!), 'Of Gods and Heroes' introduces the viewers to American Indian themes and cultural graphics. Which I always think more people should know about.

The 'Of Gods and Heroes' exhibition features a new narrative creation by the Salish artist known for his bold blend of Northwest Coast formline and pop-culture figures. This site-specific work will include an epic battle between Marvel characters and aliens invading the streets of New York City.

The heroes are portrayed using traditional tribal motifs and phrases from the S’Klallam language.

“For thousands of years, Native and non-Native storytellers have used art as a means to share the tales of their people,” Veregge said. “For me, I am simply carrying on a tradition that started with my ancestors by using the means of today, and all its modern conveniences, to share the tales that I love. Art evolves, artist tools advance, but the essence of what I do is the same as those who created with the canvases nature provided to tell the stories of gods and heroes long, long ago.”

“Jeffrey Veregge: Of Gods and Heroes” opens Friday, Oct. 6, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center in New York. It will be on view through Oct. 13, 2019.

The exhibit itself isn't very large. It's just along two walls but I think it offers so much to look at, think about and discuss. My son enjoyed seeing the exhibit along with checking out the rest of the exhibits and activities inside the museum.

The National Museum of the American Indian has lots of family friends exhibits and programs including


Programs

Native Sounds Downtown! Garifuna Concert with James Lovell- Diker Pavilion

Thursday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m.

Cultural advocate and Garifuna historian James Lovell celebrates his Afro-Indigenous heritage in concert. Joined by dynamic percussionists and dancers, Lovell offers his knowledge and talent through music and conversation in honor of Black History Month. This concert is presented in partnership with the Smithsonian Latino Center


The Art of Storytelling with Darren Thompson - Rotunda

Thursday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 23, 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Storyteller Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) shares the traditions and culture of his Ojibwe community through stories and flute music.

Exploring Art + Technology Labs: - imagiNATIONS Activity Center Classroom

Exploring Art + Technology Labs are hands-on workshops focused on Indigenous innovations. Join us in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center every first and third Saturday of the month to tinker, make, learn, and create! Recommended for ages 9 and up. Themes and projects change every month. Please check our website for updates.


imagiNATIONS Activity Center - First Floor
Open daily 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

In this family-friendly, interactive space, visitors of all ages can explore Native scientific discoveries and inventions so ingenious many continue to affect the modern world. This exploration is made even more fun by solving puzzles, performing experiments, and playing computer simulations.

Culture Connections - Second floor galleries
Monday–Friday, 2–4 p.m.

Touch, investigate, inquire and learn. Objects and images tell profound stories. Join Cultural Interpreters as they share objects and narratives in our galleries. Gain a deeper understanding of history, culture and art from hundreds of Indigenous nations in North, Central and South America

Tours

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customs House Tour - Second Floor; meet at the Information Desk.
Mondays through Thursdays, Sundays 2 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, noon

A museum ambassador provides visitors a tour of the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, home of the George Gustav Heye Center—the National Museum of the American Indian in New York. Tour highlights include a discussion of the history of the site, information about architect Cass Gilbert and viewings of the Collectors Office with its Tiffany woodwork, Reginald Marsh murals and the 140-ton rotunda dome, designed and built by Rafael Gustavino.


Infinity of Nations Tour - Second Floor; meet in the Great Hall. Tour takes place in the South Gallery.
Mondays, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1 p.m.
Sundays, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

A 45-minute tour of Infinity of Nations: Art and History in the Collections of the National Museum of the American Indian. This permanent exhibition of some 700 works of Native art from throughout North, Central and South America demonstrates the breadth of the museum's renowned collection and highlights the importance of many of these iconic objects.

To learn more about National Museum of the American Indian New York, visit - www.americanindian.si.edu

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