Discover Native America

Discover Native America 2000
Tribute to Noah Billie (1948-2000)
Feb. 18 -- March 31
St. Petersburg Museum of History
(727-894-1903)
St. Petersburg, Florida

By Charles Flowers

ST. PETERSBURG - A major retrospective exhibit of paintings by the late Seminole artist Noah Billie is being mounted at the St. Petersburg Museum of History here. Paintings are being curated and collected by staff of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, including David Blackard and Polly Nordstrom.

Mr. Billie, who died last month at 51, left a legacy of art that some experts believe makes him the most significant painter in the history of the Seminole Tribe.

"There are other fine painters," Cypress said. "But Noah had a large body of work, and a long productive period when he was able to support himself entirely by his art."St. Petersburg Museum director Sam Bond said he is proud to have his museum - the third oldest in Florida - exhibit Mr. Billie's works.

He said that since Mr. Billie's work has not been seen except by visitors to Seminole Tribal museums, this exhibit will reach a wider audience than the painter was able to find during his life-time.

"His work is maybe the picture that speaks thousands of words," Bond said. "We, in our partnership with the Seminole people, believe our mission is to let that story be told."

The St. Petersburg Museum exhibition runs in conjunction with Discover Native America, the Seminole Tribal-sponsored powwow, film and music festival, held at Eckerd College here next month. The address of the Museum is 335 2nd Ave. NE, on the St. Petersburg waterfront. The show dates are Feb. 18 through March 31.

For more about Noah Billie, read The Life And Times Of Noah Billie, or take a look at his beautiful paintings.

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