Georgia's
Official Frontier and Southeastern Indian
Interpretive Center
CLARENCE AND MARGARET ROGERS CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN INDIAN ART EXHIBIT
Drawn largely from Oklahoma artists, many whom are
descendants of Southeastern Indians, the collection of nearly 400 pieces
of art, presents a significant cross section of both traditional and
modern schools of painting, pottery, carving, sculpture, jewelry, and
basket weaving.
This exhibit would not have been possible
without the generous and loving assistance of two like-minded
individuals: Clarence and Margaret Rogers. The collection is
possibly the finest sampling of contemporary American Indian art in the
Southeast. Works from the following tribes are included: Cherokee, Iowa,
Creek, Seminole, Kiowa, Ponca, Choctaw, Pottawatomie, Otoe/Missouria,
Comanche, Osage, Apache, Delaware, Navajo, Kastenai, Zuni, Chickasaw,
Spokane, Santa Clara, Acoma, Hopi, Jemez, Zia, San Ildefonso, Cochiti,
Seneca, Iroquois, Arapaho, Chippewa, and Coushatta.
Margaret Rogers Gift to Georgia's Children
The Rogers, both retired from careers of community service, committed
themselves to promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of
American Indian art and the people who produce it. Margaret was a
native Oklahoman, a teacher and music program coordinator in the
Cobb County Schools. She
wanted to make sure her students knew something of their cultural
heritage. Her collection grew out of her concern that school children
should have true ideas about Native Americans - ideas that took into
account the mistreatment they had endured as well as their inexhaustible
creativity.
In 1999, Margaret committed her collection to
the Funk Heritage Center and took an enthusiastic role in encouraging
the new museum, its exhibits and programs relating to American Indians.
When she passed away in 2003, she had recently been recognized as
"Patron of the Year" by the Georgia Association of Museums and
Galleries.
Pat Toth, volunteer docent, explains Native American art to a group of
young children.
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