The Yellowstone Art Museum presents Jack Gladstone, one of Native America’s premier lyric story smiths, in a concert on Saturday, June 17, titled "Blackfeet Animal Persons: Native Perspectives of Nature."
This performance marks a highlight of Gladstone’s summer tour, and is offered in conjunction with the YAM’s exhibition "Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: In the Footsteps of My Ancestors," which is the first major exhibition of this established artist’s work in her home state in over a generation.
Smith is an enrolled Salish, member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation of Montana, and considered among the nation’s finest artists. Sharing a connection to her native heritage, Gladstone is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Indian Nation. Gladstone’s performance will share the traditional Blackfeet perspective of kinship and connection with our cosmos through his unique lyrics and music.
Attending the University of Washington on a football scholarship, Gladstone earned both a Rose Bowl ring and a bachelor's degree in speech communications. Returning to teach and coach on Montana’s Blackfeet Indian Reserve, he diversified his interpretations and lyrical illustrations of Native America.
In 1985, Gladstone co-founded Glacier National Park’s “Native America Speaks” lecture series, which has emerged as the longest-running indigenous speaker series within the National Park Service. In 1987, he transitioned to full-time career in performing and recording. He has 15 critically acclaimed CDs to his credit and has presented thousands of concerts, workshops and school programs throughout the world.
Heralded as a “modern-day warrior,” he holds a Human Rights Award for Outstanding Community Service from Montana State University-Northern. Frequently, Gladstone headlines programs at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
From 1997 through 2002, Jack produced four original CDs with Lloyd Maines, Grammy-winning producer of the Dixie Chicks.
In 2010, Gladstone released “Native Anthropology,” a landmark recording achievement co-produced by legendary multi-instrumentalist Dave Griffith and Montana’s Grammy-nominated composer Phil Aaberg. “Native Anthropology” is Gladstone’s most intricate and timely album to date.
Tickets for the concert are $10 general admission; there is no reserved seating. Museum members receive a $2 discount. Seating is limited.
For more information about this and other events or exhibitions, call 406-256-6804 or visit the YAM website: www.artmuseum.org.
–Jaci Webb