AUGUST 21 SANTA FE ART AUCTION BENEFITS INDIAN LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

BOULDER, CO – The Native American Rights Fund is proud to announce its Second Annual benefit art auction Visions for the Future on August 21, 2003 at the La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The auction will feature a variety of well-known Native American artists. Admission is $50.00 per person with an art preview at 3:00 p.m. and the live auction starting at 6:00 p.m.

The event will showcase works of many fine Native American artists like Presley LaFountain, Kevin Red Star, Melanie Yazzie, Andrew Rodriguez, John Gonzales, Mateo Romero, Amado Pea, Jr., Pahponee, Bernie Granados, Jr., and Rabbett Strickland. Styles range from traditional to modern and art mediums range from oils on canvas to jewelry.

Actor and activist Rodney Grant of the Omaha Tribe is the Master of Ceremonies. His filmography includes Dances with Wolves, Geronimo and The Ghosts of Mars (http://www.rodneygrant.com).

This year’s featured cover artist is Andrew Rodriguez who is from Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico. Andrew has exhibited in museums and public venues in California, Colorado and New Mexico. He is donating a special bas-relief sculpture to the auction titled, "Emergence." This is one of many sculptures that Andrew has gifted to NARF over the years.

"We are excited to showcase Andrew, along with other talented and distinguished artists at our second annual auction," says Mary Lu Prosser, NARF’s Director of Development. "The funds raised through this event will help NARF to continue to play an important role in standing up for the legal rights of American Indians nationwide."

The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians & Grand Casino Mille Lacs is the presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors include the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior and Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, Cache Creek Indian Bingo & Casino, Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, Rumsey Community Fund, Chitimacha Indian Tribe, Chickasaw Nation, Greene, Meyer & McElroy, Kogovsek & Associates, Inc., Paiute Palace Casino, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Pueblo of Laguna, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Inc., Robinson Rancheria Bingo & Casino, Glendine Fields, Colusa Casino & Bingo and The Jicarilla Apache Nation.

On August 22, a silent auction and concert hosted by the Santa Fe band, Firecat of Discord, will be held at the La Fonda Hotel to further benefit NARF. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a special performance by Tchin, a Narragansett artist, musician, and storyteller.

The public is invited to attend the auctions and the benefit dance. Net proceeds from the events will be used in NARF’s legal programs. For ticket information contact the development department at 303-447-8760 or email art@narf.org. To sample the art or to learn more about NARF, visit our website at www.narf.org.