OKLAHOMA CITY  Can artistic ability be a genetic trait? The Red Earth Museum and Gallery won't have any hard evidence, but it makes a strong case with a new exhibit.

The "Generations" exhibit is the work of more than seven artistic Oklahoma families. Eric Oesch, director of communications and deputy director of the museum, said this is the first time it has had a collection like this one.

"Many of the artists came up through our youth programs," he said. "We saw that several people in the family were talented artists."

Some of the artists are the late Doc Tate Nevaquaya and his sons Ken and Calvert, Tiller and Micha Westley, Sharon Ahtone Harjo, Thunder-Kiawa Tahnee, Irsis Eby, Susan Howard and Harvey and Nathan Pratt.

The museum will host a reception 5 p.m. Feb. 20 with hors d'oeuvres and wine; see www.redearth.org for more information.

Red Earth hosts a respected permanent collection of more than 1,400 items of Native American fine art, pottery, basketry, textiles and beadwork. Exhibits feature widely acclaimed traveling exhibitions, as well as such prized permanent exhibits as the Deupree Cradleboard Collection.

Oesch said when people come to Oklahoma they want to see the state's rich Native American culture and art.

"We are in the heart of downtown and all the hotels are within walking distance," he said. "We have our art looked at by people from all over the world."

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