For over half a century, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has fostered an environment where emerging Indigenous artists have had the freedom to develop the means to tell their own stories in their own ways. The unique format of jewelry has played a large role in storytelling as it is a deeply human practice that gives people the tools to carry their histories and identities—a powerful reminder to ourselves and to others who we are.

The Stories We Carry features contemporary jewelry created by more than 100 Indigenous artists across decades stewarded by the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) permanent collection. Guest curated by IAIA Assistant Professor Brian Fleetwood (Mvskoke Creek) ’12, the exhibition explores the extraordinarily diverse recent history of Indigenous jewelry and its enduring relationship with IAIA. Many of the works were made by IAIA students, faculty, alumni, and artists-in-residence presenting another side to the IAIA’s rich story. The Stories We Carry is part of the Making History anniversaries celebration.

In 2022, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) celebrates its sixtieth, and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA), celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. When you join IAIA or MoCNA for any public event, be it the IAIA Commencement, IAIA Scholarship Event and Auction, MoCNA Opening Reception for Summer Exhibitions, IAIA’s Annual Open House, or any other exhibition or event, you will also be joining us in celebrating our 60/50 Anniversary—Making History.

For more information, please contact IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) Curator of Collections Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer at tlomahaftewa-singer@iaia.edu.

List of Artists

Denise Wallace (Chugach Aleut), Craftsperson Belt, 1992, ivory, gemstones, silver. IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts Collection: AT-58. Photograph by Jason S. Ordaz.