Neither artist Angel De Cora nor her art have anything to do with motor homes. The Winnebago in the title of Linda M. Waggoners book Fire Light: The Life of Angel De Cora, Winnebago Artist refers to the Winnebago reservation in Nebraska where De Cora was born in 1871. De Cora grew up to become an artist ahead of her time as well as the founder of Americas early Indian arts movement.
In Waggoners book and a related lecture, the author recaps the life of the neglected artist: Born in a wigwam, De Cora was part Winnebago and part French. At age 12, she was sent to the Hampton Institute in Virginia, where she studied art. Because De Cora was so far removed from her culture, her work didnt reflect the then-typical American Indian painting style, though it did retain subject matter considered Indian.
Waggoner signs copies of her book following the talk.
Thu., Jan. 22, 1 p.m., 2009