James Benham

James Benham
Jay Benham - Artists 360 Community Activator Grant Recipient 2021

Project Description

Ledger Art comes from a time when Plains Indians used accounting ledger books as a source of paper. Ledger Art has three segments: the Narrative, Spiritual, and Record Keeping. In these installations, the Ledger Art comes to life with dancers and actors. Telling the Indigenous people’s story of Government Boarding Schools or the story of the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women. The education of communities on these issues will empower the voice of Native peoples.

Artist Bio

Jay Benham is an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe. Receiving a B.S.E., in Art Education from Henderson State University. He received an M.A., Art Education from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. He has exhibited in Sedona, Arizona, Santa Fe, and Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He has also entered Art Shows such as Red Earth Festival, Indian Market (SWAIA), and Cherokee Art Market. Permanent collections include Fred Jones, Jr. Museum, Sequoyah National Research, University of Arkansas, and the Kiowa Art Museum. His business experiences include manufacturing, consumer relations, and employee development. He is now a Museum Educator for Crystal Bridges.