Spirit of the Nations: Contemporary Native American Art From the Robert W. Trepp Collection

Jun 5, 2024 | Exhibit

A piece from the Trepp Collection.

Wewoka’s Seminole Nation Museum cordially invites the public to experience its newest exhibition, Spirit of the Nations: Contemporary Native American Art from the Robert W. Trepp Collection. Opened August 1, this exhibition features a vibrant array of paintings, sculptures, textiles, jewelry, gourd work, and pottery from 22 artists representing 12 Native American tribes, including Seminole, Muscogee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee, Osage, Potawatomi, and Kiowa.

Spirit of the Nations was envisioned and carefully curated to share the range of traditions, stories, artistic expressions, and skills of Oklahoma’s Native artisans. Each piece offers a glimpse into the heart of the tribal identity it represents. The Trepp Collection is a testament to the continued resilience and vitality of Indigenous culture, as well as a reminder of the need to respect and preserve the heritage of these nations.

 

Handmade pots from the Trepp Collection.

 

The artworks showcased in the Spirit of the Nations exhibition were chosen from the museum’s Robert W. Trepp Collection. The largest gift in the museum’s 50-year history, the Trepp Collection consists of over 600 artworks and historical artifacts donated to the Seminole Nation Museum in 2020 by the family of the late Robert W. Trepp (1951-2018). A Tulsa native, Trepp was a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and a long-time supporter and acquirer of Native American arts and crafts, particularly those of Oklahoma’s Five Tribes (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Muscogee, and Seminole). Prior to his passing in 2018, he was the President and then CEO of the National Indian Monument and Institute, the American Indian Theatre Company of Oklahoma, and the American Indian Arts Association.

This is the first opportunity the Seminole Nation Museum has had to formally share selections from the collection. Spirit of the Nations will be open to the public through December 31st of this year.

 

Various pieces for show from the Trepp Collection.

 

The Seminole Nation Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been serving the community of Wewoka since 1974. It relates the vibrant culture and rich history of the Seminoles and their celebrated capital of Wewoka. The museum is open 10-5, Monday-Saturday. Admission is free. For more information on the Spirit of the Nations exhibition or other upcoming events, please contact the museum at (405) 257-5580 or visit us online at SeminoleNationMuseum.org. Follow the Seminole Nation Museum on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with important updates and events.

 

A traditional Seminole garment from the Trepp Collection.