(Tulsa, May. 22nd, 2009) -- Lovetts Foundation for the Arts (LFA) is proud to bring to Tulsa one of the nation’s most prominent experts on American Indian Jewelry, Diana Pardue, author of the new book “Contemporary Southwestern Jewelry.”

The public is invited to join Diana Pardue, Curator of Collections at the Heard Museum in Phoenix , as she explores the life and work of the iconic Hopi jeweler Charles Loloma.

In addition to Diana’s curatorial and academic contributions, “Loloma: A Future Contoured” will offer a unique perspective: Loloma’s work as seen not only through the well-known Heard collection, but also through the recently-acquired Adkins collection at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, OK 

“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate one of the most important innovators in Native American art of the 20th Century. With his unique sense of design and use of such materials as gold, lapis lazuli, and fossilized ivory among other things, Loloma pushed the boundaries of traditional Native jewelry specifically and art in general. Diana Pardue offers a critical look at some of Loloma’s early work represented in the Adkins Collection, and its impact among Native artists today.” – Christina E. Burke, Curator of Native American & Non-Western Art, Philbrook Museum of Art

Lovetts Gallery will host the LFA Gallery Talk Series on Friday, May 22nd from 5-7pm.  The discussion will begin promptly at 5:30.

For additional information on Lovetts Foundation for the Arts and the Tulsa Community Foundation visit http://www.lovettsfoundation.org

For additional information on Lovetts Gallery visit http://www.lovettsgallery.com