October 21, 2024 – Wyo4News

In observation of Native American Heritage Month, Western Wyoming Community College (Western) welcomes the creative works of Talissa Abeyta for an exhibition of her works in Western’s Art Gallery. Abeyta is a sixth-generation descendant of both Chief Washakie of the Eastern Shoshone and Wovoka of the Paiute. The exhibition will be titled Evening Rain and will be on display in the Art Gallery from October 25 – December 6.  

Abeyta was raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation located in Wyoming. She is inspired by her heritage and culture and feels blessed to be a Native American female artist in the modern era. “My art allows me to have a voice and the freedom to express my thoughts and emotions freely with a contemporary approach,” says Abeyta.  

Evening Rain will feature both older and newer artworks to serve as a timeline of how far Abeyta has come in her artistic journey while finding her place in the art world. Speaking about her journey, Abeyta points out: “Embracing everything about myself has inspired so much of my work.” With regards to the show representing Talissa’s journey, the title for the exhibition is her Shoshone name, Evening Rain, (Yee-tah Bah-uh-wah in Shoshone). In addition to giving light to a personal journey, Evening Rain reflects the beauty, grace, resilience, and strength of her people. Abeyta affirms that her goal is to, “make a profound statement of Native people’s humanity and divinity. Ultimately, I aspire to reconcile, heal, enlighten, and honor my ancestors through my artwork.” 

Western’s Art Gallery aims to promote arts-centered learning for college students and community members alike. The Art Gallery at Western hopes that Evening Rain will inspire patrons to be thoughtful in learning about and acknowledging the indigenous peoples who occupied these lands long before European colonialism in North America. 

The exhibition will be open to the public starting Friday, October 25. Works in the exhibition will be available for purchase, and proceeds will be split between the artist and Western’s Art Gallery. 

Western’s Ben Nathan will oversee the installation and display of Evening Rain along with the help of a student gallery intern.  

For additional information on the exhibition or other visual arts programming at Western contact Ben Nathan, Assistant Professor of Art at [email protected] or (307)382-1723.