Those who want to learn about American Indian art have the chance this semester.

The Department of Art History and the Institute for the Arts and Humanistic Studies is now sponsoring a lecture series about American Indians.

The series is titled, "Art and the Native American: Perceptions, Reality, and Influences." The series takes place at 8 p.m. each Tuesday in 112 Walker through April 14.

The series features speakers who either are American Indians themselves or have studied their culture. The speakers discuss the influences, perceptions, misconceptions and depictions of American Indians in relation to their art, said Mary Louise Krumrine, associate professor of art history and the series' director.

The Department of Art History has sponsored the program for 10 consecutive years, with a different theme each year, she added. This year's theme is American Indian art.

"The purpose of this year's lecture series is to present new research about Native Americans, especially their art," she said. "The series focuses on contemporary and older Native American art."

Marie Wilson, president of the Native American Indian Student Association, said the lecture series will clear up a common misconception about Native American art.

"American Indian art is usually viewed as art," she said. "The things considered to be art were decorations or symbols used in their culture for ceremonies or rituals."

For example, last week's speaker Peter Nabokov, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, spoke about how American Indians used architecture to protect their traditions, rituals and culture from white settlers.

"A piece of architecture was important to the revitalization of the Native American because it provided shelter from people who were trying to change their culture and traditions," he said.

Wilson said she hopes people will attend the series to learn more about American Indians and the reality of their art.

"We are a part of this country," Wilson said. "American Indians are the original people of this continent. The purpose of their art and the influences of Native Americans in this country are two reasons to attend the lecture series."

"I think the series is a neat idea. I'm happy that something like this is happening," she said.

The free lecture series continues tonight with Barbara Babcock, a professor of English and an anthropologist from the University of Arizona, discussing Pueblo art.