Nora Moore Lloyd
Birchbark, Wiigwaas (The Beauty & History of Birch)
at Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, 7363 N Greenview Ave
June 17, 2020 – August 19, 2020
Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays 10-4

Birchbark, Wiigwaas presents new images by Nora Moore Lloyd, with archival material and images from Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society and the American Indian Center, and video by James Kaagegaabaw Vukelich.

Birchbark is best harvested in springtime, leaving evidence of its departure for the following seasons. This exhibition honors the indigenous practice of birchbark harvesting in the Great Lakes region, specifically by the Potawatomi and Ojibwe Nations in the Chicagoland area, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

For your safety, and for the safety of Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society staff and volunteers, please be mindful of social distancing practices and wear a facemask when visiting 7363 N Greenview Ave. We hope to announce an exhibition reception with the artist at a later date this summer.

Nora Moore Lloyd creates artwork with a focus on indigenous cultures, nature, and documenting community and family history through traditional storytelling and photos. Her work has been exhibited at American Indian Center, Cahokia Mounds Museum, Chicago History Museum, Comanche National Museum, Field Museum, Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Museo Nacional de Etnografia y Folklore (Bolivia), Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Ethnologia de Guatemala (Guatemala), State of Illinois Museum Gallery (Champaign, Chicago, Lockport, Springfield, IL), and elsewhere. For more information, please visit nativepics.org.

American Indian Center promotes fellowship among Indian people of all Tribes living in metropolitan Chicago and creates bonds of understanding and communication between Indians and non-Indians in this city. Today, the American Indian Center strives to be the primary cultural and community resource for nearly 65,000 American Indians in Chicagoland’s six-county region. American Indian Center seeks to foster physical and spiritual health in the community, an active connection with traditional values and practices, stronger families with multigenerational bonds, and a rising generation of educated, articulate, and visionary youth. For additional information, please visit aicchicago.org.

James Kaagegaabaw Vukelich is a leading voice in Native Language revitalization efforts. His insights on the interconnectedness of language and culture were developed in the field speaking with and recording elders and native speakers of the language in Canada, Michigan and Minnesota as part of the Ojibwe Language Dictionary Project. James shares his work on jamesvukelich.com – a website founded to help people learn about Native Culture and to teach Native Languages. For additional info, please visit jamesvukelich.com.

Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society collects, preserves and shares the story of the diverse community of Chicago’s far north side. Established on July 28, 1975 by local residents who believed their part of Chicago was a place with much to celebrate, the Society today serves the community through its publications, architectural tours, and various educational and outreach efforts. For additional information, please visit rpwrhs.org.

Roman Susan Art Foundation is a nonprofit art space and platform for exhibitions and events in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Roman Susan develops and supports new opportunities to create, display, and experience art. For more info, please visit romansusan.org.

For further info contact art@romansusan.org. Image: courtesy of Nora Moore Lloyd.

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Tags: American Indian Center, Birchbark Wiigwaas, James Kaagegaabaw Vukelich, Nora Moore Lloyd, Rogers Park, Rogers Park West Ridge Historical Society, Roman Susan