Wade Patton is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and grew up in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation surrounded by a rich culture of music and art. After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in art from Black Hills State University and his first solo exhibit, he left to explore other artistic endeavors. Upon returning, he found a more thriving and diverse contemporary Native art scene. For more than three decades, Wade has participated in the Red Cloud Art Show, exhibited across the nation, and won numerous awards. He is a two-time grant recipient of the South Dakota Arts Council. His work is displayed in several private collections.