Join us at the Garrett Museum of Art, located at 100 S. Randolph Street in Garrett, on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5:00PM – 8:00PM to celebrate the opening of our next exhibition, BURIED TREASURE: EDWARD CURTIS – UNPUBLISHED WORKS.
As always, the show is open to the public and all ages are welcome.
Admission is $10.
Children under 5 are Free.
The show runs from June 20, 2025 through September 7, 2025.
The Garrett Museum of Art is proud to present BURIED TREASURE: EDWARD CURTIS – UNPUBLISHED WORKS. This monumental exhibition is being shown for the very first time and we are honored to have this inaugural showing of photographs and artifacts by famed photographer, Edward Curtis.
John Graybill (great grandson of Edward Curtis) and Coleen Graybill will be at the Garrett Museum of Art on opening night, June 20, 2025, to provide historical background and answer questions. They will also be speaking to a limited number of audience members on Saturday, June 21, 2025 (2pm-3pm) and Saturday, June 28, 2025 (2pm-3pm). Look for announcements relating to this on our website very soon!
The Graybills have provided us with the following narrative regarding Edward Curtis and his significance in contributing to documentation of Native Americans through his photographs:
“Edward Curtis was a champion of his time: an advocate for all Native American/Alaska Natives, a warrior of documenting history through words and pictures, and a defender of Indigenous dignity and honor. He knew the importance of the work being done, giving future generations insight and awareness of North American Native cultures.
The exhibit is based on the Curtis Legacy Foundation’s Edward S. Curtis: Unpublished Series. This series of 4 books will share 700 Curtis photographs that have never been or rarely seen taken of Native American people and cultures from 1900 – 1927. The Alaska and Great Plains books have been released, the Southwest book will be in print this summer (hopefully by the opening of the exhibit), and the West Coast book is scheduled for 2026.
50 of these significant images will be displayed at the Garrett Museum of Art.
These unfamiliar photographs were, in great numbers, unknown to exist, even from within the Curtis family. After three generations of passing down archive material from The North American Indian, boxes and boxes of ephemera, writings, and photographs were finally sorted in 2020; a great discovery was made! There were hundreds of photographs that had not seen the light of day. After carefully scouring and comparing each photo, the Foundation has chosen to print these previously unpublished images, bringing them to the public, historians, and more importantly, to the Indigenous people’s communities that participated in Curtis’ grand opus.
With each image unveiled, history emerges in profound clarity. Each generation of Native Americans connected to Edward Curtis’ work, showcases the true power of photography: preserving history, nurturing emotional ties, and deepening respect for cultural knowledge. Each photograph provides new insight into tribal-specific clothing and adornments, bead and quillwork patterns, silversmithing styles, pottery and basketry, hairstyles, living quarters, social ceremonies, and many other culturally important details.
When the Foundation was in Montana last summer, they met several tribal citizens who had never seen these photographs of their ancestors before. It was a very special moment when we shared the images with them.
Shawnee Real Bird (Crow) shared this with us, ‘I explained to my grandfather the joy of seeing the familiar faces of our ancestors in the Unpublished Plains book. My grandfather, Timber Leader, listened intently as he held the photographs in his hands. I realized this was his very first time seeing them; for the very first time, he held a physical piece of his ancestors’ images. They breathed life into him.’
Another gentleman exclaimed, ‘Wow, I have never seen this photo before.’ After a great pause and seeing the judge’s badge in his ancestor’s photo he continued, ‘I’m a judge myself. I thought I was the first judge in our family. At least I’m following in his footsteps. I see my grandfather’s features in these… this brings a tear to my eye.'”
Photographs on display will be available for special order at the GMoA during the exhibit.
The following books by Coleen and John Graybill will also be available for purchase at the museum: Unpublished Alaska and Unpublished Southwest. An in-person book signing by the Graybills will take place on June 20th, 21st, and 28th.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to view this inaugural exhibition and certainly an opportunity for viewing amazing historically significant photography.
Join us on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 5PM – 8PM for the Opening Reception!
Open to the public, all ages welcome.
Admission is $10, children under 5 are FREE.
Regular Museum Hours:
Friday 5PM – 8PM
Saturday 4PM – 7PM
Sunday 1PM – 4PM
Private tours are available Monday through Thursday by appointment only. Please call 260-704-5400 to schedule yours today.