A new show for the Adell McMillan Gallery has arrived for the first half of Fall 2022: ayáyat People by Megan Van Pelt!

A reception is planned on October 15th @ 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope you stop by and meet the artist and have some food!

Megan Van Pelt’s work is on view September 24th to October 28th. Our team is hard at work installing tonight, and we are extremely excited for you to see @vanpelt_photo’s beautiful work!

Artist Statement and Bio:
“(ayáyat means beautiful in Umatilla)

My name is Megan Van Pelt, an Indigenous photographer based on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and current student at the University of Oregon (UO). This exhibit is influenced by Indigenous resilience on the higher education level, as well the beauty and Tribal Members of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (UIR).
Born and raised in North Eastern Oregon, I have lived in and around Pendleton, Oregon majority of my life. My biological parents are Michael Van Pelt and Rebecca Carnes. Enrolled CTUIR Tribal Member, I am also of Nez Perce and Cayuse lineage. Other than photography, I am a beginner bead-worker and plateau style basket-weaver.
This last academic year, I had the wonderful opportunity to capture Native American Student Union (NASU), Native American & Indigenous Studies (NAIS) and Many Nation Longhouse (MNL) events. Such events include Indigenous People’s Day, Miss Indigenous UO, MMIW Events, Protests, Workshops and more. Additionally, I have included work from back home, of family members and culturally relevant events. My goal is to expand this collection and contribute more documentation of Native life on campus.

qayciyáw̓yaw (thank you) for coming and viewing my work.”