DECEMBER 26, 1953

KIOWA/KIOWA-APACHE ARTIST, CURATOR, AND POET RICHARD AITSON BORN

Richard, whose Kiowa name meant “Buffalo Rider,” was born in Anadarko, Oklahoma (OK) and hailed from a long line of bead workers. Aitson attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire; Oberlin College; and Institute of American Indian Arts. In 1976, he produced documentaries on Native American events for the Bicentennial Commission. He first curated at Aspen, Colorado’s Squash Blossom Gallery in 1979. He also taught Native literature at Anadarko High School and was Adjunct Professor of Art at Bacone College. Aitson started bead working after being invited into the Kiowa Gourd Clan where he had to create his gourd dance regalia. He created beaded dance regalia for others and bead art for collectors and museums. In 1992, Aitson had a solo exhibition at the Southern Plains Indian Museum in Anadarko. Awards include: Red Earth Festival’s Grand Award (1997); and Southwest Museum’s Jackie Autry Purchase Prize (2005). Richard also was a noted poet. Aitson died June 24, 2022, in Yukon, OK.

Sources:
“Richard Aitson,” Prabook.  Retrieved 2/1/2024, https://prabook.com/web/richard.aitson/1943865
Wikipedia
Photo:  Uyvsdi, 2008. Public Domain.