MACON — McEachern Art Center (the MAC) will open its 2025-2026 season with the third annual From Ocmulgee to Okmulgee, a powerful exhibition celebrating Indigenous artistry and ancestral connection. The show will run Aug. 21 through Sept. 14, with an opening reception at 6 p.m. Aug. 21, coinciding with the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration.
Sponsored by the Ocmulgee Mounds Association, the exhibition reflects the deep cultural and historical ties between the Ocmulgee Mounds of present-day Georgia and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma. It honors both past and present on the ancestral Muscogee homelands, acknowledging forced removal while celebrating resilience and reconnection in contemporary Muscogee art.
This year’s exhibition features three artists whose roots reflect a diversity of Southeastern Indigenous nations:
- Dan Beaver (Muscogee/Alabama), woodworking
- Carly Treece (Muscogee/Cherokee), painting
- Amanda Rutland (Muscogee/Seminole), jewelry
Together, their works highlight tradition, technique and storytelling across three distinct media. Visitors are invited to engage not only with the finished pieces but with the processes and personal narratives behind them.
“We’re excited to present Ocmulgee to Okmulgee at the McEachern Art Center for the third year, celebrating Indigenous creativity and resilience,” said Johnny Cohen, director of the MAC. “This show continues to make a meaningful impact in Macon by reconnecting the community to its deep ancestral roots.”
In addition to the exhibition, this marks the final opportunity of the year to join the annual MAC Membership Program, which supports future programming and provides patrons with exclusive benefits including discounts on artwork and merchandise, access to member-only events, and free workshops throughout the season.
An annual membership costs $100 and entitles a patron to become a MAC insider with special pieces of art, exclusive events and interaction with other artists. Patrons can purchase a MAC membership at this link or in person at the opening of From Ocmulgee to Okmulgee.
The MAC is located at 332 Second St. in downtown Macon. Regular gallery hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. The show will be open special hours for the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration on Sept. 13 from noon-8 p.m. and Sept. 14 from noon-5 p.m. Admission is always free and open to the public. Educators and media may request additional access by appointment via email at cohen_j@mercer.edu. More information can be found at macmacon.com.
