Art Chowder September | October, Issue 23 | Page 68

Excellence in Art
The Nancy McLaughlin Excellence in Art Award
N
LIZ McIntosh
SPOKANE VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL
SECRETARY & TREASURER
attend the SVAC
Annual Artist
Showcase in
October
Tickets are still available and can be purchased
at their website, SpokaneValleyArts.org.
68
ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE
ancy McLaughlin was
born and raised in western Mon-
tana and spent her childhood on
the reservation with the Black-
feet. As a young lady she was
adopted into the Blackfeet tribe
and given the name ME SA’
MAXAKI, which means Swan
Woman. As an artist her subject
matter was primarily Indians,
with her favorite subjects being
Indian women and tribal lore.
She presented these women
as pillars of strength radiating
gentleness, beauty and dignity.
Nancy’s bronzes are graced with
flow, movement and a gener-
al dynamic quality. She is a
significant portrayer of Western
Indians and her art bears the
hallmark of permanence and
is to be preserved for future
generations to admire, cherish
and love.
Artist Naomi Gray
Nancy was an accomplished artist in
many mediums and is one of the top
sculptors in the western art field. One of
her bronzes, “Berry Picker,” can be seen
at the entrance to the Spokane Valley
City Hall. This monumental bronze was
donated to the City of Spokane Valley
in 2011 by the Spokane Valley Arts
Council, SVAC. Two years later, Jay
Moynahan, Marc and Linda McIntosh,
together with the SVAC, established The
Nancy McLaughlin Excellence in Art
Award. The purpose of the award is to
recognize an outstanding female artist.
SVAC narrows their candidates to artists
who are attending their annual Artist
Showcase and the winner is selected by
women of the SVAC Board.