What does it truly mean to carry on a legacy through art? Join us as we welcome Cherokee Nation citizen and second-generation artist Traci Rabbit, who shares her inspiring journey of following in her late father's footsteps to becoming a respected Native American artist. Traci reveals how her father's artistic influence, along with powerful Native American women like Wilma Man Killer, Joan Hill, and Dana Tiger, have shaped her approach to this deeply personal craft.We explore Traci's artistic evolution, blending her father's style with her own unique touch, and discuss the importance of preserving Native American culture and stories in the ever-evolving world of art, fashion, and media. Traci emphasizes the significance of mentoring and teaching younger generations, as well as the responsibility of Native Americans to be the ones sharing their own stories and experiences. As we delve into Traci's creative process, she shares valuable insights on her approach to commission work, and how he balances her commitment to mentoring the younger generation with supporting her family financially. Traci's unwavering passion for her craft and dedication to honoring her father's legacy promises an episode you won't want to miss. Open your heart and mind to the power and beauty of Traci Rabbit's artistic journey.

Join us for an enriching conversation with the incredibly talented Nacona Burgess, as we explore his remarkable journey as a Native American artist and the power of storytelling through his paintings. Hailing from Oklahoma, Nacona takes us through his experiences growing up around the country, how it shaped his understanding of different tribes, and the unique approach he takes to create his art, often drawing directly on the canvas without any prior sketching. Dive into Nacona's secrets behind his creative process as he shares how he uses various materials like charcoal, spray paint, and even inspiration from his 13-year-old son's graffiti art to bring his visions to life. We also discuss the importance of education in the Native American art world and how Nacona has managed to showcase his artwork in galleries around the globe. As our conversation wraps up, Nacona and I delve into the emotional attachment that comes with both creating and collecting art, the significance of collaboration in the art world, and the evolving international perception of Native American artistry. Don't miss out on this fascinating episode with Nacona Burgess, where you'll gain valuable insights into Native American art and its powerful storytelling through paintings.

On this episode of Beyond the Art, our host Cray is joined by Evans Flammond Sr., a Rose Bud Sioux citizen and artist, their conversation centers around Evans' specialization in ledger art and painted robes, featuring majestic animals like buffalo, elk, wolf, and deer, as well as ceremonial reproductions. He stresses the importance of honing a variety of artistic skills to cater to diverse customers while ensuring the preservation of his culture. Evans also addresses the ethics of non-Native artists creating Native American-inspired art, expressing that as long as it is done respectfully and contributes to cultural preservation, there is no need for guilt.Overall, the conversation highlights the profound role of art in preserving Native American culture and the unique perspective that Native American artists bring to their craft. Evans Flammond Sr. emphasizes the significance of creating art that reflects his heritage, allowing him to uphold his connection to his culture while pursuing a fulfilling career. The interview also explores the ethical considerations surrounding non-Native artists creating Native American-themed artwork, stressing the importance of respect and cultural preservation in such endeavors.

In this podcast, Cray interviews John Lukavic, the Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Native Arts and head of the Native Arts Department at the Denver Art Museum. John explains that his department includes indigenous arts of North America, arts of Africa, and arts of Oceania, but they are kept separate to maintain their identity. His primary focus is on indigenous arts of North America, and he emphasizes the importance of using indigenous ways of knowing, being seen, and doing as a guiding light for their work.The Denver Art Museum has always focused on contemporary indigenous art, rather than trying to preserve the ways of the past. Their indigenous art collection includes about 18,000 works of art that span from the 20th to the 21st century, with the biggest regional groups being the Southwest, Plains, and Northwest coast. Due to the nature of the historical works, the museum has to do rotations quite often.The conversation also touches on the ebb and flow of attention given to indigenous arts by non-native art institutions and the recent groundswell of interest in indigenous voices, which may be attributed to social events such as Black Lives Matter protests and the intersectionality movement. The conversation revolves around the Denver Art Museum's collection and how they acquire new pieces. They often work with collectors to build a collection that is donated to the museum over time or receive donations from individual donors.Massacre in America: Wounded Kneehttps://www.denverartmuseum.org/en/object/2016.174List of artworks and credit lines mentioned in John Lukavic’s interview forBeyond the Art podcast5.1.23- Jamie Okuma (Luiseño, Shoshone-Bannock, Wailaki, and Okinawan), with contributions by Cameron Linton, Sandra Okuma, Pat Pruitt, Keri Ataumbi, and Tania Larson, Untitled, 2018–19. Ribbon, seed beads, thread, dentalium shell, metal, buckskin, brass sequins, silk, fur, and human hair. 26½ × 32 × 17¾ in. Denver Art Museum: Funds by exchange from the William Sr. and Dorothy Harmsen Collection at the Denver Art Museum, 2018.863. ©Jamie Okuma. Photography ©Denver Art Museum.- Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (Haida), DAM Dancing Crane, 2020. Steel Toyota Tercel automobile hood, acrylic lacquer, paint, copper leaf, and paper; 32 x 55 in. Gift in honor of Jeremy G. and Anna L. Fogg & family, Sarah T. and William J. Connolly III & family, Marion McMillin Wooten, Susan Anne Wooten, Simeon Franics and Ellen Kelley Wooten & family, and William Boulton and Ellen Harvey Kelly & family, 2019.867. © Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas.- Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), Indian at the Bar, from Indians Forever, 1971. Print; 30 x 22 in. Denver Art Museum: Museum Purchase, 1973.53.5. © Estate of Fritz Scholder.- Julie Buffalohead (Ponca), A Little Medicine and Magic, 2018. Oil paint on canvas; 52 x 72 in. Denver Art Museum: Native Arts acquisition funds, 2018.301A-B. © Julie Buffalohead.- Kent Monkman (Fisher River Band Cree), The Scream, 2017. Acrylic paint on canvas; 84 x 132 in. Denver Art Museum: Native Arts acquisition funds and funds from Loren G. Lipson, M.D, 2017.93. © Kent Monkman.- Jeremy Frey (Passamaquoddy), Watchful Spirit, 2022. Ash tree fibers, porcupine quill, and sweet grass; 27 3/8 in. x 22 1/4 in. dia. Denver Art Museum: Purchased with the Nancy Blomberg Acquisitions Fund for Native American Art, 2022.51A-B © Jeremy Frey.- Dyani White Hawk (Sicangu Lakota), Untitled (Quiet Strength, II), 2017. Denver Art Museum...

In this episode of Beyond the Art, Cray is joined by artist Lisa Rutherford.Lisa Rutherford is a Cherokee artist with the Cherokee Nation who creates traditional pottery, textiles, and historic clothing. She initially became interested in art through her grandmother's oil paintings and took her first art class in high school. Her interest in traditional Cherokee pottery was reignited in 2004 when she worked on a public art installation with Bill Glass Jr. Lisa also enjoys demonstrating her skills in period clothing at living history events and has found it to be a more reliable source of income compared to selling her art at markets.They discuss her journey from pottery to textiles and her interest in historic clothing and living history. She talks about the circular worldview of the Cherokee people and the importance of keeping their culture alive through art. The artist also mentions the challenges of being self-employed and the benefits of demonstrating her skills in period clothing.

This week on Beyond the Art, host Cray Bauxmont-Flynn Flynn meets with Navajo Nation citizen Amber Dubois Shepherd. Ambers gives us an insight on how she grew up in a home immersed with the different Native American tribal cultures and languages, her mother’s people, the Navajo, as well as her father’s people, the Sac & Fox and Prairie Band Potawatomi.Amber’s own artistic path has given her the ability to work with old and new artistic practices in various ways to create a bridge for viewers to see these traditions differently in a visual way. She wants to invite the viewer to be a part of her world and see the traditions the way she sees them in her everyday life. Amber wants her artwork to reach out and connect with others; to let them know we may be different, but to know we are all human beings. Her hope is that her artwork will give the viewer a perspective of what it looks like to be a Native in America and in Oklahoma today. Amber's pieces have an illustrative and narrative quality with them as she bridges traditional Native American subjects with a more modern contemporary style.Her mixed media pieces and oil paintings reference an illustrative quality. She has an Associates of Art from Seminole State College and completed her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Spring 2016 at Oklahoma State University. DuBoise-Shepherd is the Manager of Education and Outreach at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee, OK since April 2019.

In this Episode, Cray interviews George Alexander, an artist who started drawing his favorite cartoon characters at a young age. George highlights the challenges of transitioning to a new environment and finding one's place in it. It also shows how unexpected circumstances can shape one's path in life, and discusses his journey to becoming an artist.While George is a citizen of the Muskogee Creek Nation, he doesn't necessarily gravitate towards his ancestral heritage in his art. The conversation touches on the importance of mentorship and how it can shape one's career and life.

In this episode of Beyond the Art, Cray speaks with Julie O'Keefe. Julie is a citizen of the Osage Nation and a curator and product designer. She is currently working on a large project for the Muskogee Creek Nation, which involves incorporating the history of the Bacone art movement and telling a contemporary story of the migration to the Council Oak. She is working with about 50 artists to tell stories of their history and healing. She was also a consultant on upcoming film adaptation of “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

On this episode of Beyond the Art, Cray is joined by fifth-generation basket maker, Kelly Church. Kelly is a member of the Gun Lake Band in Michigan and a Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Ojibwe descendent. In this conversation, Kelly talks about the Native American art world, her experiences with art, and her eye for selecting the best black ash tree to provide the best material for her to create a vast array of baskets, from designed black ash baskets to Summer Strawberry Blossoms. Kelly gives us an insight on how her family inspired her to create art. She also emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community, with making baskets for people who helped her grandfather. Through her art, Kelly hopes to honor her Native American heritage and share her culture with the world. 

In this episode, host Cray interviews artist Bryan Waytula, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The conversation revolves around Bryan’s experiences, heritage, cultural background, and the interpretation of Native American art.Cherokee culture played an important role in his upbringing, as both his grandmother and mother are Cherokee National Treasurers in basketry, and taught him the craft at a very young age..Bryan dabbles in a wide range of mediums, including basket weaving, charcoal, realistic portraits, contemporary art, and an array of different mediums. He was a teacher for 14 years, is driven by educating the public about art and the stories behind it. He often tells the story behind his pieces when he displays them at exhibitions and markets nationally.This episode provides insights into the life and work of Bryan Waytula, a talented and versatile Cherokee artist. The conversation highlights the importance of education and storytelling in the world of Native American art.