By Frances Herrod/ MM Reporter
Norman, Oklv. – The NDN Art Rally, an exhilarating night of art, food, and live music benefitting Jacobson House kicks off January 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM at The Depot in Norman. The event will feature 49 different Native artists creating live art for purchase for a flat fee of $49. Beto Divino (Chikashsha/Chicano) will emcee with Indian tacos, meatpies, and corn soup with frybread available from Unite the People as well as a special cider created especially for the event by Lazy Circles Brewing.
Jacobson House, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is best known for being the hub for the Kiowa Six, a group of young Kiowa men who shaped Oklahoma Native art into what it is today. While historically important the house also stands as a continuing beacon in which modern Native art and artists thrive.
Co-curators Kristin Gentry (Chahta) and Brent Greenwood (Ponca/Chikashsha) selected 49 artists representing a variety of Native Nations to help Jacobson House continue their important work.
“The non-profit was founded in 1986. What we’ve done now is really kind of reinvigorate it, the house and the community with our programming and outreach, “ stated Greenwood.”This is just one small facet of it, helping engage the public with what we do.”
During the dynamic experience artists will produce live art in 2 rounds starting at 6 PM. Purchases will be fast paced with patrons essentially calling dibs on the pieces they intend to buy.
“This fundraiser is so fun, it really is. It’s definitely my most favorite fundraiser I ever do. It’s like Finding Nemo. Mine. Mine. Mine. Or like the opening of the stock market, with everybody yelling,“ says Gentry.
Once completed runners will place the artwork on artist panels which will open up the floor for any takers. The first 13 people to claim the art will then draw cards with the ace high deciding who goes home with the piece.
It’s a labor of love according to street artist Danny Sands ((Semvnole/Mvskoke/Pawnee)
“I’m a huge fan of Jacobson House and that whole community they have there. I’m not really like a big seller of my art. I really like to do art for a purpose…so when this came about I was like oh my gosh you know there’s no better purpose. I love the Jacobson house and all the wonderful things that they do there.”
Music by AJ Harvey (Ponca/Pawnee/Hidatsa) will begin the evening with Chebon Tiger (Semvnole/Mvskoke) finishing up the night as the event moves to Legally Brewed for the afterparty, where two of the featured artists, Dj Werewulf Micah Wesley (Kiowa/Mvskoke) and DJ Ruckus Tom Farris (Otoe-Missouria/Tsalagi) will be spinning end the night.
“I had a studio over at the [Jacobson House] from 2016 – 2020. it was amazing, I grew up looking at images of the Kiowa 6 and to create in a space that was once where they were housed to go OU was kind of odd and surreal,” says Wesley. “
“The JH has pretty much supported my DJ gigs or allowing me to keep a studio there for almost free with 24hr access.”
The Depot is located at 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, OK 73069. Doors open at 5:30. Event runs until 9 PM. Afterparty begins at 10 PM at Legally Brewed, 123 W Main St, Norman, OK 73069. Entry fee for each event is a suggested $5.00 donation and attendees over 21 years of age are encouraged.
