Antelope Valley Indian Museum to Host Two Indigenous Artist Showcases This May
Contact:
Peggy Ronning
Museum Curator III
(661) 946-3055
LANCASTER – This May, California State Parks is inviting the public to experience the work of talented Indigenous artists at Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park (SHP). During two special showcase events this month, visitors will have the opportunity to meet artists Maree Cheatham, Tina Wimer and Carmelo Esquer, learn about their work and heritage and purchase original pieces.
The museum will highlight the award-winning ceramic creations of Cheatham (Muskogee Creek/Choctaw) on Saturday, May 9. In late May, artists Wimer (Mescalero Apache) and Esquer (Tohono O’odham) will share their acrylic and mixed media paintings on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.
Here are details about the event:
WHAT: Two art showcases featuring Native American artists.
WHEN: May 9, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Maree Cheatham)
May 30 and 31, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Tina Wimer and Carmelo Esquer)
COST: $3 for ages 13 and older, free for children 12 and under.
California fourth-grade students attending a public school and their families can attend for free with the
California State Park Adventure Pass. Learn more about the pass and how you can download it at parks.ca.gov/adventurepass.
WHERE: Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP
15701 East Avenue M, Lancaster.
DIRECTIONS: From State Route 14 in Lancaster, go east on Avenue K to 150th
Street East. Turn right and go south for two miles to Avenue M.
Turn left and go east on Avenue M for one mile to reach the museum.
Cheatham (Muskogee Creek/Choctaw) is an award-winning ceramic artist who credits pottery as a grounding creative influence during her decades-long acting career. “I grew up digging clay from Oklahoma and Texas creek beds for my doll’s dishes and dried them in the sun. Now I fire them in a kiln! My Muskogee Creek/Choctaw heritage shows in my work. Every pot I throw and paint is an expression of my love of the earth,” she says.
Artists Wimer and Esquer work with oil, acrylic, and mixed media, drawing inspiration from culture, place, and lived experience. They have contributed to multiple murals at Chicano Park in San Diego.
Please note: Pets are not allowed in the museum. Service animals are welcome per California State Parks' Service Animals Policy.
For more information, please call the museum at (661) 946-3055 (711 TTY relay service) or visit its website at avim.parks.ca.gov. Follow the museum on Facebook at facebook.com/AVIndianMuseum.
California State Parks supports equal access. If you need reasonable modification or special accommodation for the event, please contact Peggy Ronning at 661-946-3055.
About Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHM
Antelope Valley Indian Museum SHP showcases over 4,000 objects created by the Native American peoples of Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Visitors also enjoy the museum’s nature trail, gift shop and picnic area.
Artist Maree Cheatham with her award-winning ceramic creations. Photo from California State Parks.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.