Former Professional baseball player and world renowned Artist Gene Locklear was celebrated and honored at the University of North Carolina Pembroke powwow.

What an exciting way to wrap up an amazing week. Former Professional baseball player and world renowned Artist Gene Locklear was celebrated and honored at the University of North Carolina Pembroke powwow. Lumbee Tribal Chairman John Lowery and Nancy Chavis, Director and Curator of the Museum of the Southeast American Indian, honored Gene during a blanket ceremony this afternoon. There was also a Chicken Dance special during the Powwow in honor of Gene, who is a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.

Gene Locklear grew up in the Union Chapel Community in the Lumbee Tribal Territory. He was a Major League Player with the Padres, Yankees, and Reds and also played overseas in the Japan's leagues. He is also well known for his Sport Paintings which are on display through the U.S. Locally his paintings celebrate Lumbee history, culture and community and our hero Henry Berry Lowrie. Gene is also a Vietnam Veteran.

This week, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke honored Gene as the Museum of the Southeast American Indian established the Lloyd Oxendine Artist-in-Residence program. The residency featured Gene and opened his exhibition called “From the Pitcher’s Mound to the Easel: The Life and Career of Athlete and Artist Gene Locklear." Gene has produced works of all sizes in oils, acrylics and pencil. Locklear’s styles include realism, impressionism and abstract, with subjects that include Native American and Western figures and landscapes, professional athletes from countless sports and animals.