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41.5" X 18" 546 OF 950
Donald D. Ruleaux, during the course of his lifetime, has made a significant contribution to the art of Nebraska, the art and culture of the Plains region, and to the world of Native American art. He is an artist and teacher whose career spans more than 50 years.
Mr. Ruleaux has conveyed his passion and art expertise to students enrolled at a wide array of institutions of higher education and high schools of the High Plains. Most recently, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Chadron State College, his alma mater. His journey also has included teaching posts at Vermillion, S.D., Hastings, Neb., McCook, Neb., Curtis, Neb., Lead, S.D., Spearfish, S.D. and Gering, Neb.
Mr. Ruleaux's body of work, in a variety of mediums, not only show versatility of style but his keen observation and attention to detail. In all his work, he is a consummate craftsman. His work is ardently collected by many who value his vision, his joy in the immediate world around him, and superb technical skill. Mr. Ruleaux has helped to establish a strong and vital market for Native American art in the region. An enrolled member of the Oglala Band of the Lakota Nation, much of Mr. Ruleaux's work is a portrayal of Indian life as he sees it, depicting real people and real details.
From his childhood on the Pine Ridge Reservation and youth in Gordon, Neb., he was steadfast and talented, voraciously seeking art books, drawing and taking art classes. He went on to formal training at the Kansas City Art Institute, Chadron State College, graduate studies at Arizona State University, and a fellowship with the National Gallery of Art.
His artwork has won numerous awards from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Black Hills Art Association, Northern Plains Tribal Arts and the Red Cloud Indian Art Show. He was honored with an Artists Fellowship Grant from the South Dakota Arts Council.
Besides works in numerous private collections in more than 26 states and internationally, Mr. Ruleaux has artwork in the permanent collections of the Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney; Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.; the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C.; Indian Health Services, Pine Ridge and Kyle, S.D., Lame Deer, Mont.; the Akta Lakota Museum, St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, S.D.; the Dahl Fine Arts Center, Rapid City, S.D.; the University of South Dakota Galleries, Vermillion, S.D.; South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D.; DeRance Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.; and the Red Cloud Heritage Center, Pine Ridge, S.D.
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