Empowering Native Artists
Connected Indigenous artists with the resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities they needed to professionalize their businesses and thrive in the Indigenous arts ecosystem.
As an Ozhigin Artist Fellow, participants gained access to technical modules that covered bookkeeping, tax prep, legal considerations, and grant writing for artists. Having participated in art practice sessions that facilitated conversations around their creative process, showcased their work, and other creative sessions.
Collaboratively Designing Spaces Indigenous artists collaborated to design ideal studio spaces and programming, and received funding to support their art businesses.
They were part of a supportive community of Indigenous artists who were dedicated to helping each other succeed. They built connections in the Indigenous arts ecosystem and gained valuable insights and advice from experienced mentors and artists, as well as guest speakers.
Ozhgin Fellowship – Artist Series
$2,000
towards their art business operating capital
Peer Mentorship
industry relevant and experienced mentors
Oyate Leadership Network (OLN)
opportunities with Tiwahe Foundation Leadership Network
2023 – Ozhigin Artists Fellows
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Meg Veitenheimer
Red Lake Nation
Meg is an artist and a citizen of Red Lake Nation, expresses her passion for beadwork through her artistic brand Nelie G. Mae. Inspired by the healing and reclamation aspects of beadwork and her personal connections with relatives, Meg creates unique beaded pieces primarily in the form of jewelry. She incorporates materials such as glass beads, porcupine quills, natural fibers, leather, wood, skulls, and sinew into her three-dimensional works. Her work aims to honor her Indigenous heritage, inspire others, and serve as a symbol of empowerment and strength.
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Loriene Pearson
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Loriene, an emerging artist and feminist from Minnesota, explores hand embroidery to challenge traditional paradigms in Native symbolism. Drawing inspiration from nature, she merges contemporary and traditional elements, creating works that embody strength and resilience. Through her art, Loriene seeks to elevate Indigenous voices, contribute to the conversation on Native art, and celebrate cultural revitalization.
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Katie Bendickson
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
Katie a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakhóta community, is a teacher, illustrator, and freelance artist. She leverages her Dakota and Ojibway background to influence her art, creating unique designs. Katie is a language preservationist, having been mentored by elder Caroline Schommer. Her hide painted earrings are featured at Indigenous First gallery in Duluth, MN.
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Jearica Fountain
Karuk Tribe
Jearica, a Minnesota-based visual artist and social activist, uses her work in painting, murals, and graphic design to amplify community voices and challenge supremacy and colonialism. Through figurative art, she explores identity and aims to create empathy, provoke thought, and educate. Her work is rooted in decolonization and seeks to break down colonialism in the mind. Jearica's art is a means of advocating for social justice, centering marginalized voices, and fostering a more equitable society.
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Jennifer Adams
Ho-Chunk & Mvskoke Creek
Jennifer is a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation and Mvskoke Creek, she is an artist specializing in paaxge beadwork. Through this traditional practice, she creates symbolic patterns by weaving one bead at a time. Jennifer's work reflects her passion for preserving and sharing indigenous traditions that aims to foster appreciation and understanding of indigenous art. Jennifer's art connects her with her purpose and contributes to the legacy of indigenous craftsmanship.
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Nando Cornejo
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate
Cornejo is a self-taught artist and tradesman specializing in fashion design, aerosol painting, beadwork, and carpentry. As an enrolled tribal member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, he draws inspiration from his indigenous heritage. Cornejo's work combines his love for art, his exploration of traditional spirituality, and his passion for inspiring youth to pursue their artistic dreams. Through projects centered on social justice and community collaboration, he aims to leave a lasting impact on his community and the wider art world.
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Charlie Thayer
White Earth & Lac Courte Oreilles
As an Anishinaabe artist, Charlie Thayer's work is deeply rooted in the power of art and storytelling. He utilizes his artistic practice to give voice to the seventh generation and advocate for Indigenous communities. Charlie's artistic vision is directly aligned with creating awareness around Indigenous issues throughout Turtle Island. He firmly believes in the transformative power of art to spark meaningful dialogue and amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples.
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Olivia Seone Stern
Mississippi Choctaw
As an artist, Olivia proudly embraces her tribal affiliation to Mississippi Chahta, utilizing various mediums to express her creative vision. Primarily working in digital art and animation, Olivia also finds joy in clay sculpting, paper and paintbrush mediums, and clothing design, allowing her artistic expression to flourish in diverse forms.
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Rhea Blue Arm
Cheyenne River Lakota Tribe
Rhea Blue Arm is a self-taught artist specializing in designing patterns for moccasins, skirts, beading, sewing, and painting. She values community-building and is committed to sharing her knowledge and experiences with others. Rhea believes in collaboration and she is eager to help people learn, design, and complete their own projects.
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Summer Sky Cohen
Lac du Flambeau
Summer Sky is dedicated to traditional native arts and dance, which she developed through her deep connection with the earth in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Summer specializes in beadwork, clothing design, and working with natural fibers like birch bark and black ash. Through her artwork, Summer aims to remind people of the beauty of living in harmony with the earth.