Salamanca
The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum announced it will host a career-spanning retrospective showcase by distinguished Seneca artist and “national treasure of the Seneca Nation,” Carson Waterman opening in May. The show, “Carson Waterman: A Retrospective,” will be a celebration of Waterman’s life, work, and profound impact on the representation of Seneca identity and visual culture over the past several decades. The exhibit will feature a wide selection of Waterman’s works, including output from his time as a student at the Cooper School of Art in Cleveland, harrowing sketches from his tour in Vietnam, where he served as a combat artist, and numerous examples of his painting that feature his iconic bold and colorful style, among dozens of other pieces. “Carson’s contributions to the Seneca Nation and the representation of our people, culture, and history can’t be overstated,” said Caleb Abrams, Seneca- Iroquois National Museum Board of Trustees member. “Bringing together this collection of works, many of which have never been displayed publicly, has been a true labor of love for the planning committee and we can’t wait to share this incredible showcase with the public.” Throughout his career, Waterman established himself as one of the premier visual artists of the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois, whose territories span what is now known as New York State and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. His original works, which include paintings, murals, illustrations, and more, have been displayed in numerous museums, galleries, and cultural centers including the Institute of American Indian Art (Santa Fe, NM), the Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC), Trickster Cultural Center (Schaumburg, IL), Iroquois Museum (Howes Cave, NY), and K Art (Buffalo, NY), among many others. Public examples of his work are visible at the Allegany River Rest Area (Allegany, NY), Buffalo Metro Rail (Buffalo, NY), and inside the Seneca Nation’s resorts and casinos. He has also been commissioned to create original works by various corporations and organizations including the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Buffalo Sabres, Seneca Gaming Corporation, and the City of Salamanca. Waterman was also an infl uential force behind the establishment of the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum which fi rst opened in 1977 in Salamanca, on the Seneca Nation’s Allegany Territory. In 2018, the museum relocated to the new Onohsagwe:de’ Cultural Center. The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum has an extensive collection of Seneca and Haudenosaunee material culture items, historical artifacts, and art work, both permanent and rotating exhibits that change throughout the year, and a state-of-theart center gallery that hosts special exhibits. The museum is a popular destination for tourists, educational outings, and those interested in history. Educational programs, including lectures, cultural presentations, plays for children, concerts and other events can be held in the museum’s amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 600 people. Adjacent to the amphitheater, there is a replica longhouse – construction of which was completed earlier this year. Longhouses are large wooden structures that traditionally served as family housing centers and ceremonial gathering places for the Haudenosaunee. An offi cial dedication ceremony for the new longhouse will coincide with the May 27 opening of the Waterman showcase. “Carson Waterman: A Retrospective” will open May 27, 2023 and run through April 2024. For more information, visit senecamuseum.org.