Kate Gardiner (Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck), Illustration for Firefly Season by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee). Courtesy of the artist. © 2021 Kate Gariner.
The Precious Things We Share: The Past, Present, and Future of Indigenous Picture Book Art
Wáanegugish means “the precious things we share” in the Nipmuc language—a fitting title for this exhibition, the first of its kind celebrating and centering Indigenous picture book artists from what is now the United States and Canada. Exploring the illustrative traditions of the Peoples of Turtle Island and spanning more than 250 years of storytelling, it highlights the growth of children’s books created by Indigenous artists and the vibrant stories and images that reflect Native lives, cultures, and traditions. The exhibition includes more than 80 works in four sections. Since Time Immemorial explains how many North American Indigenous peoples created elaborate and dynamic stories through material culture prior to European contact and colonization, by exhibiting artwork and objects made by contemporary artists who reinterpret and honor traditions of craft. In Early Books, visitors can see first editions of books by Native artists and authors from the early twentieth century, and The Rise of Illustrative Natives explores contemporary publishing. The Seventh Generation elevates the voices of up-and-coming Native artists and showcases artwork of the stories that inform the next generation of readers.
Curated by Dr. Lee Francis IV (Laguna Pueblo) and working alongside an Advisory Group of Native community leaders, artists, publishers, philanthropists, educators, and writers.
The exhibition is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Federal grant award ID: MA-256047-OMS-24) and Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
What to Expect
This exhibition covers 200 years of publishing history over four sections. Since Time Immemorial explains how many North American Indigenous peoples created elaborate and dynamic stories through material culture prior to European contact and colonization, by exhibiting artwork and objects made by contemporary artists who reinterpret and honor traditions of craft. In Early Books, visitors will be able to see first editions of books by Native artists and authors from the early twentieth century. The Rise of Illustrative Natives explores contemporary publishing. The Seventh Generation elevates the voices of young Native artists and showcases artwork of the stories and pictures that inform the next generation of readers.
