News from the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico.

When artist Fritz Scholder, Luiseno, passed away on February 10, the art world lost an individual widely considered to be the greatest living Native American artist.

But to members of Santa Fe's arts community, Scholder was a friend, a mentor, an advisor and an inspiration. He exploded onto the international contemporary art scene in the late 1960�s and his fame helped establish Santa Fe as the focal point for the contemporary Native American art movement.

At the Institute of American Indian Arts, where he taught for four years, Scholder served as the mentor and motivator for an emerging generation of American Indian artists. Admired and respected by his colleagues and students, Scholder�s influence on IAIA�s growth and direction cannot be underestimated, and his loss was felt by every member of the IAIA community.

On Saturday, March 12, Scholder will be remembered and celebrated at a Memorial Gathering on the IAIA campus. This hour-long event begins at 2 p.m. and will feature leading figures from the American Indian art world as well as people who knew and loved Scholder during his many years in Santa Fe.

Speakers such as M. Scott Momaday, Gary Avey (Native Peoples magazine publisher) and IAIA founding faculty member James McGrath will memorialize Scholder, while members of the artist�s family are also expected to attend the event.

Many of the top talents in the Native American art realm are anticipated to be on hand for Saturday�s Memorial Gathering, along with dozens of individuals who knew Scholder and either worked with him or were among his circle of friends.

Relevant Links:
Fritz Scholder - http://www.scholder.com

Related Stories:
Editorial: Fritz Scholder 'painted the Indian real' (02/15)
Fritz Scholder, maverick Native artist, passes on (2/14)