The Hockaday Museum of Art announces Dwayne Wilcox's Above the Fruited Plain, an exhibition of Native ledger drawings that are compelling, multi-layered, and beautifully executed. Each humorous work begins with a story that draws the viewer in, usually by way of a cultural reference such as a powwow, a biographical reference, or a historical reference. Although Wilcox's ledger art is immediately laugh-out-loud amusing in the way it pokes fun at white and native cultures, the viewer will find many layers of meaning beneath the surface of the cleverly presented stories. Wilcox has taken the traditional American Indian art form of ledger drawing and firmly placed it in the contemporary world. The exhibition will be on display May 5 through June 25, 2016.

Wilcox brilliantly uses humor and irony in his work, and within the strong design principles he adds the element of a resolved narrative. Wilcox's wit pokes fun at often uncomfortable situations while showing us different world views that are inherently cultural. Wilcox states, "The culture I grew up in has a wonderful place for humor, it is also medicine, and I would hope to show this to the outside world."

Wilcox has exhibited widely, and his work is included in collections at the Missoula Art Museum, University of Arkansas, C. M. Russell Museum, South Dakota State University, Red Cloud Indian School, Akta Lakota Museum, Hood Museum of Art, Dakota Prairie Museum, and the Peabody Museum.

Dwayne Wilcox will be coming to the Hockaday on Wednesday, May 11, to give a talk on his inspirations and experiences. The discussion will be held 6:00 - 8:00 PM and will be free for members and $10 for non-members.

The opening reception for Above the Fruited Plain will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Admission is free to the event for members, and $10 for non-members. Throughout the exhibit, visitors may learn more by taking one of the docent-guided tours held Saturdays at 1:00 PM (included with guest admission). The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Hockaday Museum of Art is located in the cultural district of downtown Kalispell at 302 Second Ave East. It is housed in a 1904 Carnegie Library building that appears on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is a private nonprofit organization, open year-round, Tues-Sat from 10am-5pm. The mission of the Hockaday is to enrich the cultural life of our community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park. For more information, please visit www.HockadayMuseum.org or call 406-755-5268.