Our Stories is a companion to The Stories We Carry exhibition, located adjacent to the Kieve Family Gallery. For this project, we wanted to give community members and artists the opportunity to tell their own stories through items from their own personal collections. Each person was asked to contribute work to be included in a small wall case. The objects presented carry stories, meaning, and identity, or are simply a source of joy. Everyone approached the project in unique ways, selecting mementos of community, family, and travels; items that marked significant moments of their lives; and objects that represent a great love of art and/or deep ties to the art world.

Our Stories further examines the idea that jewelry is not a mere ornament, but a practice of wearing artwork to reify our identities and remind us of who we are. The objects we personally wear, collect, or make for ourselves communicate to the world around us a sense of the places we have been, the things we love, and the people who make up our stories.

Through September 29, 2025, Our Stories will feature continual new selections contributed by various community members and artists. We hope you visit again to enjoy each new story!

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