- What: Launch Party and Forty-Nine social dancing
- When: Sunday, February 8, 2026, 2:00–4:00 pm
- Where: Jacobson House Native Art Center, 609 Chautauqua Street, Norman, OK | map
- Why: To celebrate!
“The Forty-Nine represents one of Indian Country’s richest genres of music and dance. … The Forty-Nine carries deep cultural significance that extends far beyond simple entertainment, echoing a vital connection between historical Plains Indian practices and contemporary Native community life in Oklahoma.”
—Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/Ohkay Owingeh/Isanti Dakota) and Maxwell Yamane, FAAM no. 49 (Winter 2026): 26
Celebrating with community
Norman, Okla. – First American Art Magazine will host a community launch party on February 8, 2026, from 2:00 t0 4:00 pm to celebrate the release of its Issue No. 49. The event will take place at the Jacobson House Native Art Center in Norman and is open to the public.
FAAM No. 49 marks a milestone for the magazine, which has published Indigenous-centered writing and art since 2013. While the magazine’s numbering follows a standard sequence, this issue gave the team a meaningful opportunity to theme the event around the Forty-Nine, a social tradition in Native communities based in music, gathering, and culture.
Painter, muralist, and arts advocate Brent Greenwood (Chickasaw/Ponca) and friends will lead Forty-Nine songs during the event, bringing the social dance into the daylight with the same spirit of togetherness and heartbeat.
Refreshments are provided by MGQ Food and Design, a Native and Black–owned business based in Norman.
“Forty-Nines are about showing up, staying up, and being together,” said Jessica Ma’ilo (Delaware Nation/Kiowa/Samoan), operations manager at First American Art Magazine. “This issue gave us a chance to reflect that energy with the FAAM and Native communities.”
This family-friendly event is free, and all are welcome to attend. Copies of the magazine will be available on site.
Links
- FAAM No. 49 (Winter 2026), current issue | FAAM No. 49 Launch Party Facebook event
- Jacobson House Native Art Center, community arts center and gathering place, Norman, OK
- Brent Greenwood (Chickasaw/Ponca), painter, muralist, and arts advocate
- MGQ Food and Design, Native and Black-owned catering and design, Norman, OK