MAAIM's top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our community, including students, instructors, and the general public. Masks are required for employees and strongly recommended for visitors in all City facilities. Please visit
wichita.gov/coronavirus for updates.
Exhibit Dates: June 5, 2021 through June 5, 2022
This exhibit opens on what would have been Blackbear Bosin's 100th birthday.
Blackbear Bosin, an internationally recognized Kiowa-Comanche artist and the creator of the iconic Keeper of the Plains, was one of the founders of MAAIM. The museum is home to the largest public collection of his artwork. In 2019, the Indian Museum introduced the Bosin Society, a group dedicated to conserving and preserving the art and legacy of Blackbear Bosin for future generations.
"Bring the Bosins Home" will give visitors a better understanding of Blackbear Bosin's artwork and the way he sought to share his culture with Wichita and the world.
This yearlong remembrance of one of our founders will include free and fee based programs throughout 2021 and will end with a celebration of his 101st birthday.
Exhibit Dates: permanent exhibit
The exhibit gives an in-depth look into the personal and professional life of Bosin, one of the founders of the Indian Center and the man behind Wichita's iconic Keeper of the Plains sculpture. Tsate Kongia was Bosin's Kiowa name. It means "Blackbear" and belonged to his great-grandfather, a Kiowa chief. The exhibit includes paintings, photographs, vintage film footage, live audio tapes made by Bosin and interviews with people who were close to him.
Bosin was an internationally recognized Kiowa-Comanche sculptor and acrylic/watercolor painter from Oklahoma who adopted Wichita as his home in 1940. Primarily a self-taught artist, Bosin helped enhance a better understanding of his culture by presenting scenes and tales of his beloved Indian heritage beautifully to the world. National Geographic gave Bosin his first national recognition in March 1955 with the publication of his painting "Prairie Fire."
Bring the Bosins Home
Blackbear Bosin, Kiowa-Comanche artist, is well known as the creator of the Keeper of the Plains, but he created so much more art in his all too brief career.
Our goal is to collect Bosin originals for the museum’s collection and raise funds to care for them all.
June 5, 2021 would have been Blackbear Bosin’s 100th birthday. To honor him, we will turn the entire museum over to Bosin art for the month of June 2021.
Know of anyone with a Bosin original or need more info? Email Museum Curator, Erin Raux,
eraux@wichita.gov
In 2019, we introduced the Bosin Society. The society is a group of people dedicated to conserving and preserving the art and legacy of Blackbear Bosin for future generations. Membership is achieved through donating an original work of art or financial contribution. Donors will be recognized in the Bosin exhibit, on our website, social media and at special receptions. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. There are a number of pieces which need conservation work.
Visit Bosin Society page
Indians in Aviation
Join us for the Indians in Aviation exhibit to learn the story that brought you the Mid-America All-Indian museum! This is the story of the museum’s humble beginnings and the peoples that have rallied behind it through the years.
