Talk about Art

Art and history are not neutral subjects. Because they both deal with humanity, with all its messiness of politics, differing opinions, varied cultures, and good and bad behavior, both disciplines force us to think, question, ponder, analyze, reason, and explore.

One thing we immediately discover is that there are no easy answers. The second thing develops from the first: though there are no easy answers, it does not mean we stop looking for them.

Nona Hengen, a writer, researcher, speaker, artist, and former educator and university professor, has spent 30 years studying the Palouse region: its original inhabitants, the Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and Palouse Native American tribes; the clash of those inhabitants with the U.S. Government; and the lives of the pioneers from whom many people in the region descend. Hengen has chronicled her findings in a series of books, stories, magazine articles, and paintings – ranging from the 1858 Battle of Steptoe that was instrumental in dismantling the region's Native American indigenous culture to the light hearted, fanciful tales of carousel horses.

Presently, a collection of Hengen's 16 books and both her historical and nostalgic paintings are on special display at Wenaha Gallery. On Saturday, March 3, Hengen will be at the gallery in person to present two informal talks, one at 1:30 and one at 3 p.m., on the Native American/U.S. Government battles. She will accompany her talks with a DVD presentation.

Joining Hengen will be Walla Walla watercolorist Roy Anderson, who will play music in between Hengen's speaking, along with showcasing his paintings of musical instruments; and Pasco glass artist Gregory Jones, who creates colorful, lacy, hand-crafted bowls. The Special Art and History Show is free.

Wenaha Gallery, located at 219 East Main in Dayton, is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.