The Gifts of Quiet Thunder
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
​
Contact: Kate Legere, Program Director
Media Arts Council
484-445-4161
MEDIA ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS “THE GIFTS OF QUIET THUNDER” A PHOTO DOCUMENTARY EXHIBIT HONORING LENNI-LENAPE ELDER
“The Gifts of Quiet Thunder”
Exhibition Dates: Friday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 26th, 2023
Opening Reception: Friday, November 3rd 5:00-7:00 PM
Media, Pennsylvania – The Media Arts Council is proud to introduce “The Gifts of Quiet Thunder,” a traveling photo documentary exhibit honoring the legacy of Sakima Chitkuwi Pèthakhòn, Richard "Chief Quiet Thunder" Gilbert (1934-2020), Native American artist and past chief of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lënape of New Jersey.
The "Keeper of the Gifts" is the indigenous name for “curator”. The Keeper of the Gifts for the upcoming “The Gifts of Quiet Thunder” exhibit is William “JT” Johnson (co-curated by Carrie Barcomb), who will be exploring “Lënape Lifeway Art” in the Ancient Gift Economy as taught by Chief Quiet Thunder, Richard Gilbert.
Chief Quiet Thunder married into the Millsboro, Delaware Nanticoke, and raised his family among the Cheswold Lënape. This unique exhibit honors his artistry and craftsmanship through intimate photographs captured by Jon Cox, Dylan Francis, Ryan Grover, Tara Muenz, and Greg Vizzi. The exhibit offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Lënape People today, highlighting the cultural significance of each artifact and the stories they carry.
As the exhibit statement explains, “Although there is no word for ‘art’ in the original language of the most southern dialect of Lënapehòkink called Unami, there always have been and always will be many gifts made with great intentionality for specific purposes, given with great love, and received with great pride.”
Carrie Barcomb worked alongside Johnson as co-curator, collaborating closely with the Lënape community. "We’re honored to present this Lënape Lifeway Art traveling exhibit, a project stewarded by JT Johnson and dedicated to his uncle Chief Quiet Thunder aiming to carry forward his legacy. Through this exhibit, we share Chief Quiet Thunder's gifts to his loved ones, with the intention of expanding and sharing his legacy within Lënapehòkink, the Land of the Lënape People," explained Barcomb. "By sharing his artwork and tools, we highlight the resilience and creativity of the Lënape community, deepening our understanding and appreciation of Lënape culture in today's world."
‘The Gifts of Quiet Thunder' exhibit is made possible thanks to the support of Chief White Otter, Principal Chief of the Lënape Indian Tribe of Delaware, Greenbridge CDC, musician Simon James Purchase, Stroud Water Research Center, and Tara Muenz, photographers Dylan Francis, and Jon Cox from National Geographic, Rockwood Museum director Ryan Grover, author Greg Vizzi, author John Buck, Shavasha Smith, Brooke Chase, and the Media Arts Council.
The exhibit is open to the public free of charge from November 3 to November 26 at the Media Arts Council, 11 E State Street, in Media, Pennsylvania. Following its display in Media, the exhibit will travel to Cheswold, Delaware in December and the Rockwood Museum in 2024.
Concurrently on display at the Media Arts Council is “The Pain, Boredom, And Euphoria Of Looking” featuring photographs by Joseph Podelsnik and curated by Marianne Buschini.
For more information about these exhibitions, please visit www.MediaArtsCouncil.org
About the Media Arts Council
MAC is a registered nonprofit organization with a mission to actively support local artists and integrate a wide range of arts into the life of the community. MAC achieves this mission by providing professional artists with opportunities to exhibit, sell, and/or perform, infusing Media with public art installations, providing arts education classes, and offering community arts events. MAC’s gallery is located at 11 E. State Street in Media, PA, 19063. Our prevailing passion is advancing the importance of the arts. To learn more about or donate to MAC, call 484-445-4161 or email info@mediaartscouncil.org. Visit www.mediaartscouncil.org, like Media Arts Council on Facebook or Instagram @mediaartscouncil. MAC is grateful for its supporters, including the Borough of Media, Rhile Carpentry, Morris Brothers Investments, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, and Aqua, an Essential Utilities Company.