Rick Bartow’s tribal affiliation and heritage is Wiyot of Northern California. Transformation mythology – both personal and shared- are at the center of many of his works.

He has recieved many honors such as a solo exhibit at The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (New York, 2003), The Eiteljorg Museum’s Fellowship for Native American Fine Art (Indianapolis, 2001), a year-long installation in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at The White House (1997-98) a Flintridge Foundation Fellowship (2001-02) and an interview on National Public Radio with Ketzel Levine (2003). Bartow recently collaborated with Master Printmaker Seiichi Hiroshima January 6 – February 26, 2006 at the Bush Barn Art Center in Salem, OR.