Author: FAAM Staff

Issue No. 48, Fall 2025 (October–December) Click here to purchase a digital copy for $7.00 from Issuu. To purchase a print copy, click below: Features Rising to the Surface with Storywork: Edgar Heap of Birds, Erin Shaw, Arthur Amiotte, and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Performers in Venice by Emily C. Burns, PhD, 22–31 Olmec Colossal Heads: The Surviving Faces of Mesoamerica’s First Civilization by Florence Wanjiru, 32–37 The Art of Resistance: How Nasa Murals Reclaim Colombia’s Wounded Lands by Clara Jaeger, 40–45 Carrying Culture: Bandolier Bags Today by Sheila Regan, 46–52 Artist Profiles Keanu Jones: Navajo Filmmaker, Photographer, and…

Operations Manager, Jessica Ma’ilo, with son, Tavi, late daughter, Jewels, and daughter, Jada First American Art Magazine welcomes Jessica Ma’ilo (Delaware Nation/ Kiowa/ Samoan) as its new operations manager. With a background in education, journalism, and community-based work, she brings a practical, behind-the-scenes focus to the magazine. Having grown up around Native artists and exhibitions, and with professional experience building systems in under-resourced and fast-moving environments, she approaches the role with attention to continuity and improvement. Her work at FAAM centers on strengthening internal processes, expanding connections to educational spaces, and supporting the magazine’s efforts to bring Indigenous art and…

Reflecting on all of the amazing Indigenous art happenings and exhibitions in 2025 has been a balm to the soul in a year filled with challenges. Despite efforts to crush free expression, Native artists, curators, tribes, and art advocates have pushed forward with inspiring projects. Here is a selection of incredible events that the FAAM team selected through anonymous voting. We’d love to hear your favorites for the year. Please share in the comments. 1. Encoded, unsanctioned virtual reality intervention at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York On Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025, Amplifier, a nonprofit design lab, launched ENCODED:…

A discussion about ledger art with artists Gordon Yellowman (Southern Cheyenne) of Oklahoma and John Isaiah Pepion (Blackfeet) of Montana. Each will discuss their own art within the larger field of historical ledger art from the mid-19th century to today. Introductions by Alicia Harris, PhD (Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes). Moderated by Jeremy Goldsmith, OU doctoral candidate Dinner by Junebug Catering. When: Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 5:00–7:00 pm Where: Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of the American West (Old Faculty Club), 409 W. Boyd Street, Norman, OK | map ** Registration is full! If you…

Wadulisi Recordings Signs Imprint Agreement with Melodic Revolution Records Topeka, Kansas – Wadulisi Recordings, a music label amplifying Native American and Indigenous musicians, have just signed an imprint agreement with Melodic Revolution Records (MRR), based in Florida. Wadulisi’s debut roster includes acclaimed musician and composer Lisa LaRue (Cherokee Nation) with her visionary project band RematriNation, alongside progressive/experimental artist Juan R. Leõn (Tarahumara/Yaqui descent). LaRue has long been a promoter for Indigenous creativity, blending cultural stewardship with sonic innovation and visual art. She was the first female artist signed to SOAR Records’ Natural Visions label, whose debut album featured 14 tracks…

Issue No. 47, Summer 2025 Click here to purchase a digital copy for $7 from Issuu. To purchase a print copy, click below: Features To Carry the Wind: The Revitalization of Feather Mantles, Capes, and Cultural Memory by Matthew Ryan Smith, PhD, 30–39 New Voices, Bold Visions: Native Artists Redefine Santa Fe’s Summer Scene by Mandy Yeahpau (Comanche/Cherokee/Tarahumara descent), 42–49 Photo Genesis: Native Cyanotypes in Five Parts by Stacy Pratt, PhD (Mvskoke), 52–58 The Chitto Family: Generating a Large Artistic Legacy by Dan Ninham, PhD (Oneida Nation), 60–66 Artist Profiles Dennis Esquivel: Grand Traverse Ottawa-Chippewa Fine Woodworker and Painter by America…

2025 Conference | November 5 – 7 | Indianapolis, IN Hosted by the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art NAASA website: nativeart.org | Facebook | Conference Facebook Event | Instagram Download the conference program. Program artwork by David Martin (Pokagon Potawatomi), Instagram @artbyhalfpint Took place at the JW Marriott, Eiteljorg Museum of Americans Indians and Western Art, and the Herron School of Art + Design. NAASA Membership ($35–135): join/renew here NAASA Officers Elections took place at the 2025 conference, and the new NAASA board is: Officers (2023–2025) President: Miranda Belarde-Lewis, PhD, Zuni/Tlingit Vice President: Anya Montiel, PhD, Mestiza/Tohono…

A tiny exhibition of tiny baskets, curated by America Meredith (Cherokee Nation) September 30–December 15, 2025 Charles M. Russell Center 409 W. Boyd Street, Norman, OK | map Artists Featured Sissy Alex (Mississippi Choctaw) Joe Allen (Fallon Paiute) Ramona Lossie Baith (Eastern Band Cherokee, 1964–2025) Kelly Church (Gun Lake Potawatomi/Odawa/Ojibwe) Vivian Cottrell (Cherokee Nation) Scarlet Darden (Chitimacha) George Edward Goins Jr. (Eastern Band Cherokee) Mary Felix (Yup’ik) Sue Fish (Chickasaw) Kendall Florez (Warm Springs) Faye Greiner (Catawba, 1967–2025) Yonavea Hawkins (Caddo/Delaware/Kickapoo) Denise Jock (Akwesasne Mohawk, Turtle clan) Glenda McKay (Deg Xitʼan) Oderay Opua (Wounaan) Jeanette Sahneyah (Hopi) Eva Salazar (Kumiai,…

ANADARKO, Okla. – The Southern Plains Indian Museum reopens Monday, September 8, 2025, after being closed for renovations. On view will be its new fall exhibition, Newly Acquired Contemporary Works from the Southern Plains Indian Museum Collection. The exhibition, organized by SPIM Curator Bambi Allen (Kiowa/Comanche), will feature two- and three-dimensional works from Native American artists of the Southwest, as well as the Northern and Southern Plains. It runs from Monday, September 8, 2025, through Thursday, January 8, 2026. “The museum staff and I have been working hard to prepare the galleries,” says Allen. “We’re so excited to have the opportunity…

PORTLAND, MAINE – First American Art Magazine publishing editor, America Meredith (Cherokee Nation), is among eight visual arts journalists who have been awarded the Rabkin Prize. This annual prize celebrates the creative and intellectual contributions of today’s arts writers and comes with a $50,000 unrestricted award. Meredith will invest these funds into FAAM. The other seven 2025 Rabkin Prize winners are Tempestt Hazel, co-founder of Sixty Inches from Center; Jessica Lynne, writer, critic and co-founder of ARTS.BLACK; Nicole Martinez, critic and deputy director of Fountainhead Arts; Brandy McDonnell, features writer for The Oklahoman; Eva Recinos, an arts and culture journalist;…