Venue
Josephy Center for Arts & Culture
403 N. Main St.
Joseph, OR 97846
403 N. Main St.
Joseph, OR 97846
Gallery hours:
Monday–Saturday, 12–4pm.
Appointments are available at other times; call 541-432-0505 or email [email protected].
Monday–Saturday, 12–4pm.
Appointments are available at other times; call 541-432-0505 or email [email protected].
About the Exhibition
This exhibit/show welcomes artists of Nez Perce ancestry and those with ancestral or cultural ties to the broader Sahaptian Columbia Plateau Tribes. Artists of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to participate. Submissions across all artistic mediums and styles, from traditional practices to contemporary expressions, are welcome. Celebrating the diversity, creativity, and living artistic traditions of our people.
Statement:
Statement:
titwáatit 'inehbciklíicix ; Story/history We are carrying home.
This year's Nez Perce Art show, Carrying Our Story Home, follows two years of exceptional shows curated by Jordan Shawl (enrolled Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation) with assistance from Josephy Center's Kolle Kahle Riggs. Ten Nez Perce artists showed in 2025; 16 in 2026. The 2027 show will open on June 19 and run until July 26. The theme of the show will be on the 150-year removal of the Nez Perce--nimiipuu--from Oregon and the Wallowas, the 1877 twelve hundred mile flight to the Bear's Paw in Montana, their exile in Oklahoma Indian Territory and return to the Northwest in 1885. and today's return to the Wallowas. Art will be both traditional and contemporary. two and three dimensional. For more information, contact Jordan Shawl at [email protected], or Kolle Kahle Riggs at [email protected].
This year's Nez Perce Art show, Carrying Our Story Home, follows two years of exceptional shows curated by Jordan Shawl (enrolled Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation) with assistance from Josephy Center's Kolle Kahle Riggs. Ten Nez Perce artists showed in 2025; 16 in 2026. The 2027 show will open on June 19 and run until July 26. The theme of the show will be on the 150-year removal of the Nez Perce--nimiipuu--from Oregon and the Wallowas, the 1877 twelve hundred mile flight to the Bear's Paw in Montana, their exile in Oklahoma Indian Territory and return to the Northwest in 1885. and today's return to the Wallowas. Art will be both traditional and contemporary. two and three dimensional. For more information, contact Jordan Shawl at [email protected], or Kolle Kahle Riggs at [email protected].
All mediums and styles welcome from traditional to contemporary. All experience levels welcome. All ages welcome.
Lead Curator
Jordan Shawl
I am a Nez Perce Tribal descendant and enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. With over five years of experience in Tribal tourism, cultural preservation, and community development, Jordan brings a unique perspective to her role as Lead Curator. Through her work with Nez Perce Tourism and the Nez Perce Tribe's ˀItam’yanáawit (Way of Trade) Program, she has supported initiatives that strengthen Native-owned businesses, promote Native artistry, and create meaningful connections between culture, community, and economic opportunity.
As Lead Curator, I am very passionate about creating spaces where Native artists are represented authentically, ancestral knowledge is honored, and the stories of past and present generations continue to be shared. I recognize Native art as more than creative expression; it is a living reflection of identity, resilience, sovereignty, and the enduring connection between Native people and our homelands.
I hold an Associate of Arts degree and am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Tribal Sovereignty at Northwest Indian College, where I maintain a 4.0 GPA. Through my curation work, I strive to uplift Native voices, celebrate the diversity of Native artistic traditions, and ensure that cultural knowledge and creativity continue to inspire future generations.
I am a Nez Perce Tribal descendant and enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. With over five years of experience in Tribal tourism, cultural preservation, and community development, Jordan brings a unique perspective to her role as Lead Curator. Through her work with Nez Perce Tourism and the Nez Perce Tribe's ˀItam’yanáawit (Way of Trade) Program, she has supported initiatives that strengthen Native-owned businesses, promote Native artistry, and create meaningful connections between culture, community, and economic opportunity.
As Lead Curator, I am very passionate about creating spaces where Native artists are represented authentically, ancestral knowledge is honored, and the stories of past and present generations continue to be shared. I recognize Native art as more than creative expression; it is a living reflection of identity, resilience, sovereignty, and the enduring connection between Native people and our homelands.
I hold an Associate of Arts degree and am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Tribal Sovereignty at Northwest Indian College, where I maintain a 4.0 GPA. Through my curation work, I strive to uplift Native voices, celebrate the diversity of Native artistic traditions, and ensure that cultural knowledge and creativity continue to inspire future generations.
Entry Fee
- Free to enter up to 5 works.
Artist Eligibility
The exhibit is open to all artists.
Accepted Work
Accepted categories
- Sculpture: wood, clay, stone, bronze, or metal
- Painting: oil, acrylic, watercolor
- Drawing: pastel, pencil, graphite, charcoal, ink
- Printmaking: woodblock, engraving, etching, monoprint, aquatint, linocut, lithography, silkscreen
- Photography: traditional and digital
- Other: glass, jewelry, fiber arts, ceramics, mixed media, digital art
Not accepted: copies, kits, reproductions, work created using AI technology, or work made under instructor supervision. All work must be original.
Size limits
Size limits
- 2D work: maximum 1,024 square inches including frame (for example, 32" × 32" or 24" × 42")
- 3D work: maximum 120" in combined dimensions (length + width + height)
- Oversized work will not be accepted.
Framing & Presentation
- All wall-hung work must have a secure hanging wire attached in the upper third of the back.
- Framing is strongly recommended for 2D work. Unframed work must have clean, finished edges.
- Glass or plexiglass must be securely attached. Plexiglass is preferred for larger pieces.
- Work that is not ready to hang or display may be declined at check-in.
Artist Statement
Include a short artist statement of no more than 150 words with your entry. Tell us how your work connects to the exhibit theme (if applicable): Many artists state tribal affiliation and background. You can talk about your artistic process or a few things about you that you would like an art appreciator or buyer to know about you. Accepted statements may appear on wall labels, in exhibit materials, and in Josephy Center promotion.
Acceptance Notifications
Jury notifications will be emailed through ShowSubmit by 4pm on Tuesday, May 11, 2027.
They include delivery and pickup instructions. Please check your spam folder for messages from [email protected], or [email protected] and ShowSubmit.
They include delivery and pickup instructions. Please check your spam folder for messages from [email protected], or [email protected] and ShowSubmit.
If you have not heard from us by 4:00 p.m. on May, 11, 2027 contact Jordan Shawl at [email protected] or Kolle Kahle Riggs at [email protected]
Accepted artwork must be the same piece that was juried. No substitutions.
Artwork Check-In
Curator Jordan Shawl will arrange delivery or pick-up of artwork. Unless you can easily get to the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture on the dates of June 14 and 15, 2027. Please contact Kolle Kahle Riggs to arrange art drop-off at: libraryosephy.org
Artwork Pickup & Unclaimed Work
Curator Jordan Shawl ([email protected] )will be responsible for picking up and returning all artwork to the artists unless arrangement are made with Kolle Kahle Riggs at [email protected] to pick up artwork directly from the Josephy Center on or after July 26, 2027.
Sales & Commission
- All accepted artwork must be for sale.
- Commission: 70% of the sale price goes to the artist; 30% supports the Josephy Center.
- Prices are final once submitted. Please factor framing, printing, shipping, and commission into your pricing.
- Accepted artwork must be the same piece that was shown in the photos. No substitutions please.
Liability & Insurance
The Josephy Center handles all artwork with care. However, the Josephy Center is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to artwork while it is in transit, on the premises, or on display. Artists who want coverage should insure their own work. By submitting an entry, artists agree to these terms and give the Josephy Center permission to photograph accepted work for promotional and archival use.
About the Gallery
The Josephy Center’s exhibit space sits inside a historic bank building styled like a wood cabin. Its soaring ceilings and warm wooden walls give artwork room to breathe. Movable walls let us reshape the gallery for each show, so every exhibit has its own character.
Our opening receptions are some of the liveliest gatherings in Wallowa County. They regularly draw 40 to 100 guests, including community members, artists, and collectors. For exhibiting artists, that means real connection with an engaged audience and potential buyers.
Artist Submission Workshop Opportunity
Join us for a hands-on a workshop designed to guide artists through the professional art submission process using Showsubmit. Participants will learn how to professionally photograph, document and upload their artwork to Showsubmit, including preparing artwork descriptions, titles, dimensions, mediums, pricing, and artist statements to ensure complete exhibition-ready submissions.
- April 23 from 11:30 – 3:30
at the Boards and Commissions Building at 225 B St. Lapwai, ID 83540
For questions about this event contact Lead Curator Jordan Shawl [email protected]
Questions
Image and Filename Specifications
- File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
- Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
- Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
- Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
- File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
- File Size: There is a 30MB maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.
Additional Entry Information
- After your entry is submitted, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (May 4, 2027.)
- Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Notifications Are Posted in Your Account
Results will be posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on May 11, 2027. You will also receive an email.
Log in and check your account. We are unable to answer individual inquiries about results.
Support
Questions about this exhibition?
Contact Kolle Kahle Riggs ([email protected]) or Jordan Shawl ([email protected]) for questions about the prospectus, JCAC, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.
Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.