The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art always has an amazing permanent display of art, but most recently the museum has on special display an exhibit by a major figure in contemporary Native American art for over three decades.

The accomplished artist is Fritz Scholder, who served as a Distinguished Artist in Residence in OU's School of Art this past spring.

Scholder also presented the 2002 commencement address to students graduating from OU's College of Fine Arts.

Scholder's exhibit runs today through Sept. 8 in the museum.

The artwork not only contains Scholder's "UN-romanticized," a depiction of American Indians, but also features a variety of subjects such as flowers, dreams, vampires, the millennium, ancient Egypt, and landscapes.

Scholder credits his ideas to some of his Native American friends, whom he met when he moved to Santa Fe.

While in New Mexico, Scholder taught painting and art history at the Institute of American Indian Arts.

Scholder's acquaintances captivated him and were models for a series of paintings called "Indians Forever Suite," which won him the title as a leader of the new American Indian art movement.

The museum is not just for art lovers or students seeking extra credit. There will also be a special 'Java and Jazz Night' today at 7 p.m., for the music lovers out there, not to mention the caffine ones as well.

This special program will give museum guests the opportunity to relax with a cup of coffee and hear live jazz music at the museum.

Guests are also encouraged to take a walk through the museum to see the "Maynard Dixon: Space, Silence, Spirit" exhibit and the Fritz Scholder exhibit.

"This is a perfect opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to visit the museum," explains Susan Baley, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Curator of Education.

"Live music changes the ambiance in the museum and gives visitors a whole new experience as they walk through the galleries."

Performing Thursday night will be the Hot Club Society, a four-piece band whose sound is influenced by the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt and his band Quintette du Hot Club de la France.

Norman residents and students can also visit the exhibit "Flash: The Associated Press Covers the World" today through Oct. 27 at the Fred Jones Museum of Art.

For more information on "Java and Jazz," call Jason Combs at 229-3618 or for more information on the Fritz Scholder Exhibit, contact Jennifer Gourley at the School of Art at 325-2691. Visit the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at 410 W. Boyd St. or its Web site at www.ou.edu/fjjma.
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