Dr. Frank Benningfield is currently 58 years old and a newcomer to the art field. His medium is pencil and his subject matter is Native American. He has always had strong feelings for Indian Culture and was captured by the photography of Edward S. Curtis (1868-1952). It was thru the lens of Curtis's camera and others like him that he was able to preserve for history the honor, strength, dignity, and growing despair, of this heritage before it disappeared forever. Dr. Benningfield was inspired by the reality brought forth by these photographers at the end of the era as portrayed by the North American Indian of the late 1800's and early 1900's. These were the people who lived the history of the west. These were the people that film was able to capture and it is thru that work that Dr. Frank has attempted to bring to life the clarity dramatized by what only a pencil can do. Dr. Frank is a self-taught sketch artist. He has tried to do justice to the work originated by others who have traveled before him bringing emphasis to the children, adults and the elderly of an era long forgotten. Their eyes reflect the emotions captured forever in time. It is his desire to compare those people of the past with those of the present. Wonders of Wildlife Gallery of Peoria will be hosting a one man showing of his work on August 10, 2002. This will be his first formal showing. He and his wife, Jeanne, frequently visit Santa Fe where he was recently asked to also represent his work at the Merrock Gallery in the Santa Clara Pueblo, at Espanola, New Mexico. This is an all Indian Gallery and he feels extremely honored that they would allow him this opportunity.