Scholarship brings Native American artist to CMU
There is a certain approach to creating art.
“Most people who make art don’t always understand the process,” said Daniel Ramirez, recipient of the Olga J. and G. Roland Denison visiting professorship of Native American Studies.
Ramirez spoke Wednesday at an opening reception welcoming him to Central Michigan University.
“I want to show the native arts and the creative process we go through,” he said.
Ramirez will teach one class this semester as part of the professorship, HUM 197: Special Studies in Humanities.
He is a descendant of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and started the company Native Image about 15 years ago. He has used different media to create woodland arts.
“I am a professional artist, I have a gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The art business is difficult, and this opportunity opened up and I’ve always wanted to develop a course in Contemporary Native American Arts,” Ramirez said.
He said the class will be dedicated to his younger brother, Mike, who died a few years ago.
“His memory means a lot to me,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said he loves the transition from artist to teacher.
“I have not been on a campus for 18 years, I really missed it. It’s really great to walk around and see students learning,” he said.
