Native Art Fellowship
James Dewey. N Arapaho Beadwork. Casper, WY.
What is a Native Art Fellowship?
The Native Art Fellowship is a $3,000 unrestricted award of merit, based on the artist’s portfolio, honoring the work of Native artists based within Wyoming. Artists working across any artistic discipline or medium (visual, literary, performing, folk & traditional, etc.) may apply. This fellowship is designed to raise the profiles of the highly talented Native artists in Wyoming and celebrate their artistry. Applications are juried by noted Native artists outside the state. One fellowship will be given each year. Jurors may also select honorable mentions.
Recipients of the Native Art Fellowship will also be given support to find a venue to showcase their work. The Wyoming Arts Council is now accepting applications for the Native Art Fellowship. Applications must be submitted online through Submittable where full details and eligibility requirements can be found. The deadline to apply is June 10, 2021.
APPLY HERE!
Jurors
Adrienne Benjamin
Amikogaabawiikwe indizhinikaaz. Awaazisii indoodem. Misizaaga’iganing indoonjibaa. Chiminising indaa. Niizh nindaanisag indayaawag, Bagwajikwe naa Zhaawanigiizhigookwe.
Adrienne M. Benjamin (She/Her/Hers) is an Anishinaabe multi-faceted artist practicing in multiple disciplines; including but not limited to, Textile Arts, Writing, Design, Acrylic, Woodworking, Watercolor, and Poetry. Her main focus is creating current, socially relevant, and culturally significant artistry that intersects with Anishinaabe values, history, and lifeways.
Adrienne is passionate about and vibrantly advocates for social justice and equity initiatives in the arts and education systems. Adrienne is an accomplished arts administrator, having created successful arts based youth initiatives within her tribe; the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Adrienne is also an avid art collector, supporting Indigneous and other POC artists in the United States and beyond.
Molina Parker
As a Lakota woman from Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, I have been shaped by my community/environment and influenced by the women who molded and raised me; my Mother, Aunt and Grandmother. These women taught me to challenge myself, work hard, have patience, and the value of making things with my hands and heart. The introduction of artwork and artists beyond my Lakota culture, like Andy Warhol, Gustav Klimt, Frida Kahlo and Rock and Roll music, were given to me by my Aunt. Strong women have guided me as I moved from a 5-18 yr old making and selling small beaded pieces to community members to now selling my work to museums and collectors. This has given me a solid foundation rooted in Lakota ways of doing, as well as keeping the continuum of keeping Lakota art fresh and current. My artwork uses the environment; insects, animals and infusing them with historic Lakota geometric design to create adornment that will inspire pride and happiness in those who wear and collect them. I create to inspire others, to break boundaries, to challenge and to honor those strong women who brought me to this point.
