Artrain coming

Published 11:34 pm Thursday, February 23, 2006

By Staff
DOWAGIAC - Artrain USA, America's Hometown Art Museum, is coming to Dowagiac.
The Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians are presenting Artrain USA, the nation's only traveling art museum on a train.
The public can tour the museum located at the Dowagiac train depot, 200 Depot Drive, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Visitors can tour Artrain USA's three galleries and Artist's Studio onboard vintage railcars and view “Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture,” a contemporary Native American art exhibition.
Comprised of 71 artworks by 54 Native American artists, Native Views explores Native Americans' powerful contributions to contemporary art and society and the complexity of American culture.
Visitors will gain better understanding of the complex issues surrounding Native American history and the challenges faced today by tribal nations.
Kids of all ages can participate in an exhibition “scavenger hunt.”
Visitors can purchase original works of art from demonstrating artists or souvenirs from the museum gift shop.
Artrain USA is headquartered in Ann Arbor.
As America's Hometown Art Museum, Artrain USA fulfills its mission to enrich lives and build communities through the arts by bringing art exhibitions and educational programs to communities without access to traditional museums and encouraging the development of local cultural programs. Artrain USA will tour Native Views through 2007, visiting up to 120 primarily rural and small urban communities across America.
For more information, contact the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival headquarters at 269/782-1115, e-mail mail@dogwoodfinearts.org; visit www.ArtrainUSA.org; or call 1-800-ART-1971.