The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (HCS) is hosting two History + Art exhibits that use art as the means to explore the concept of Manifest Destiny, an attitude prevalent during the 19th century period of American expansion that fueled western settlement, Native American dislocation and war with Mexico. The concept was contested even at the time, provoking bitter dissent.

Imprinting the West: Manifest Destiny, Real and Imagined explores the concept through the potent imagery of the time. The exhibit features 48 hand-colored engravings and lithographs demonstrating the influence that artists of the time had on the perception of the Wild West.

Minnesota artist Laura Youngbird takes on the subjects of Native American dislocation and white migration westward in the exhibit Manifestation.  The 34 works in the exhibit include works from the past 20 years, many of which reflect on the boarding school experiences of elders, treaty law machinations and intergenerational trauma that continue to be felt today.

“When we decided to approach the concept of Manifest Destiny at the museum, we knew from the first that we wanted to underline the fact that it was a contested concept,” noted Maureen Kelly Jonason, Executive Director of HCS.  “We programmed Laura’s exhibit as a response to – or alternative understanding of – the concept of Manifest Destiny.”

Given the deep and lasting impact that the idea of territorial expansion had on our region and its native peoples, HCS will offer a number of related programs to explore the rich subject matter.

The attached list provides additional details on the programs.  The programs have been made possible in part by support from ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and The National Endowment for the Arts; the Lake Region Arts Council and The Arts Partnership.

Manifest Destiny-Related Exhibit and Program Schedule

These History + Art exhibits and programs will be held at the Hjemkomst Center, 202 1^st Avenue North, Moorhead, MN. These activities are made possible by a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council, a grant to Laura Youngbird from The Arts Partnership, and by support from ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Manifestation by Laura Youngbird

Exhibit on view January 8 – April 3, 2016

4^th Floor Gallery

Breckenridge resident Youngbird creates poignant, haunting images that express the mix of joy and sorrow in her own upbringing as a member of the Grand Portage Band of Minnesota Chippewa. The exhibit includes work from the past 20 years, including some not previously exhibited elsewhere.

Museum Hours:

Sunday Noon to 5 pm

Monday through Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

Tuesdays open until 8 pm

Admission:

Adults $10

Seniors and College Students $9

Youth (5 – 17) $8

Children (4 & under) Free

HCSCC Members Free

Location:                    

The Hjemkomst Center at 202 First Avenue North in Moorhead.