Remembering John Nieto Visiting the Pageant, 1985

by Dan Duling, Ph.D.

Former Pageant director Glen Eytchison, Laura Nieto (in set), John Nieto, 1985

It was my fifth Pageant as scriptwriter, and that summer in 1985 provided one of my happiest memories: meeting renowned Native American artist John Nieto when he attended the Pageant. While researching and writing the narration for the sequence of his works selected by then director Glen Eytchison, I’d been excited first by Nieto’s vivid Fauves-inspired colors, then by his thoughtful approach to his creative process, and finally by the opportunity to include the works of a Native American artist in the Pageant.

But, that summer provided an additional treat, the chance to meet the artist and hear his reactions to our “living pictures” of his works. All these years later, it’s still a cherished recollection. After writing almost exclusively about artists long dead, here was a living, breathing creator of important work who appreciated our celebration of his work as something more than free publicity.

The writing and research had initiated a journey into the context, both historical and personal, for Nieto’s art. As he spoke of wrestling with color to see if his “medicine” was strong enough, I believed our audiences could and would be drawn into his world. And, when I had the chance to meet Nieto backstage after a performance, it was a rush to see that he supported our efforts for all the right reasons. For this relatively young scriptwriter, it was doubly rewarding. In celebrating a living artist, I’d also seen the very real potential for the Pageant to connect past, present and future art in context.

[In 2021], nearly three years since the artist’s death, this opportunity to revisit the world of John Nieto feels like another pilgrimage. Though John won’t be here with us, his son Anaya and his family will be in attendance during the run. And once again, a sacred dance is renewed.

“I’m in a trance when I paint. It’s like being a drummer; you don’t look at the drums,  you just know intuitively where they are.” — JOHN NIETO