Nez Perce artist in special display at the Josephy Center

At noon on Thursday, March 14, the Josephy Center welcomes a special exhibit of work by Nez Perce artist Carla Timentwa with an open house and artist talk. The exhibit features fabric arts, including traditional basket hats.

The Thursday noon program is free and open to the public.

Carla Timentwa (Nez Perce name: kaa nimiiputimpt wen’iik ‘allah’wahmah) is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and currently resides in the heart of niimiipuum we’tes land in Kamiah, Idaho, near allotment land held by her great-grandmother.

Over the last eight years, Carla has explored the art of weaving under the tutelage of in-laws and master weavers, Elaine Emerson and Tillie Gorr, from the Colville reservation. With encouragement from them and other weavers throughout the Northwest, Carla has worked especially at the creation of Nez Perce cornhusk basket hats. The Nez Perce were renowned cornhusk weavers and the art of basket hat making is kept alive by very few today. Carla still considers herself a student of the art, but appreciates the recognition and encouragement of others she receives today.

Carla’s beadwork has won awards at the Santa Fe Indian Art Market and at the famous Heard Museum of Indian Art in Phoenix. She is a 2023 recipient of the Potlatch Fund community and innovation grant, which allows her to continue exploring arts through cultural and traditional practices. And she served as “whip women” at the Tamkaliks celebration in Wallowa last summer.

Carla is proud and pleased that granddaughters and grandsons practice art work in weaving, beadwork, and are involved with traditional gathering, hunting, and fishing. It gives her hope in the sustainability and resilience of Nez Perce culture and people.

The women’s art show remains in the Josephy Center’s main gallery, and is now accompanied by this wonderful exhibit of a Nez Perce woman’s art in the Balcony Gallery.