By Alisa Nordholt-Dean, vice president for public programs and Beeler family director of education

Ephraim Anderson (Navajo [Diné]), an Eiteljorg artist in residence in 2024
Image courtesy of the artist

Shortly after the Eiteljorg Museum opened its doors in 1989, the museum hosted “a special Artist-in-Residence series to coincide with the opening of the education gallery.” In 1990, seven Native American artists participated in this inaugural program, demonstrating customary art forms such as quillwork, weaving, pottery, doll making, silverwork and beadwork that fascinated Eiteljorg guests during their weeklong residencies.

This first cohort of artists would lay the groundwork for what has become one of the most important and unique programs at the Eiteljorg: the artist-in-residence (AIR) program. Over the ensuing decades, the museum has had the pleasure of hosting more than 200 artists from all over North America. The definition of “artist” has evolved to include not only creators of customary arts such as beadwork and jewelry, but also mixed media, performance-based, literature, contemporary, fashion and even culinary arts.

Through outreach and community engagement, Eiteljorg AIRs have had an impact on tens of thousands of local residents, students and visitors over the past 35 years. The museum is incredibly excited to host a new cohort of artists in the coming months, all of whom are new to the residency program — fiber artist Ephraim Anderson (Navajo [Diné]), cultural objects artist Glenda McKay (Cook Inlet Athabascan), fashion designer, activist and veteran Dante Biss-Grayson (Osage Nation) and ceramic artist Bobby Silas (Hopi Tribe). Also, artist Richard Gabriel who does Spanish Colonial tinwork returns for the Día de Muertos Community Celebration

During each artist’s residency, museum visitors can ask questions, watch demonstrations and learn more about each artist during open studio sessions, or dive deeper by attending an artist-led workshop. Museum members have exclusive opportunities to hear from artists during their residencies. Look for more information on these and other events on the museum’s website, Eiteljorg.org/events.

Ephraim Anderson

Sept. 9-21
Ephraim Anderson (Navajo [Diné]), uses traditional and modern Navajo-derived techniques and material culture in conjunction with the history of global art to create the next level of Navajo textile art. These weavings and textiles challenge the current understanding of Navajo weaving even when traditional techniques are employed.

Glenda McKay

Sept. 23-Oct. 5
Glenda McKay (Cook Inlet Athabascan) was taught to survive off the land at a very young age. Come and see how Glenda takes those the skills and histories she learned as a child and translates them into her art.

Richard Gabriel

Oct. 22-26
Artist Richard Gabriel of Tijeras, New Mexico, will show visitors how he creates traditional Spanish Colonial tinwork during the Día de Muertos Community Celebration on Oct. 26, a free admission event.

Dante Biss-Grayson

Nov. 6-9
Dante Biss-Grayson (Osage) is an artist and fashion designer who is committed to pushing the boundaries of Native American art and fashion. Dante’s residency is supported in part by the Purdue University Native American Educational and Cultural Center and the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission. Dante Biss-Grayson’s designs will be modeled on the runway during a mini-fashion show Nov. 9 at the Eiteljorg; visit this link for registration details.

Bobby Silas

Nov. 12-23
Bobby Silas (Hopi Tribe) is a creative potter reviving ancient designs that he incorporates into contemporary pottery.

Artists in Residence are sponsored by: Drs. Susan and Robert Stephens Artist in Residence Fund.

Artist images are courtesy of the artists.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the June 2024 issue of Storyteller magazine.