Museum of Indian Arts and Culture unveils groundbreaking contemporary gallery

The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture proudly announces the grand opening of the JoAnn and Bob Balzer Native Market and ContemporaryArt Gallery. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition, Driving the Market: Award Winning Native Contemporary Art, will debut on August 18, 2024.

 The new gallery is a vibrant homage to the living history and evolving artistry of contemporary Native artists. Driving the Market will spotlight award-winning artists and pieces from prestigious Native art markets, including those hosted by the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts (SWAIA) in Santa Fe, the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

Each art market has its own unique character, offering attendees a chance to experience a wide array of contemporary Native art, meet the artists, and purchase their works directly. These markets are more than just commercial events; they are cultural gatherings where artists collaborate, innovate, and draw inspiration, fostering a dynamic sense of community.

"We are incredibly excited to open the JoAnn and Bob Balzer Native Market and Contemporary Art Gallery," said Danyelle Means, Interim Director of the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. “JoAnn and Bob have been unwavering pillars of support and advocacy for contemporary Native art. Their contributions have made an indelible impact on both the artists and the broader community."

The exhibition will broaden the definition of Native art, showcasing pieces in both traditional mediums and cutting-edge styles. Visitors can expect to see a diverse array of art forms, from customary pottery and beadwork to avant-garde fashion and digital art. Additionally, a video wall from award-winning filmmaker Kaela Waldstein of Mountainmover Media, will feature interviews with artists and others, providing personal anecdotes and insights into the significance of art markets and the economic impact on the lives of Native artists.

Driving the Market features works from over 45 artists including Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo), Tony Abeyta (Diné/Navajo), Cara Romero (Chemehuevi), Diego Romero (Cochiti Pueblo), Connie Tsosie Gaussoin (Picuris Pueblo and Diné/Navajo), and Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo).

A standout feature of the exhibition is a fully decorated 1974 Triumph TR6 convertible, collaboratively customized by ten esteemed Native artists. Originally an auction item for SWAIA, this unique piece symbolizes the collaborative spirit and innovative drive at the heart of contemporary Native art.

MIAC invites you to the grand opening of the JoAnn and Bob Balzer Native Market and Contemporary Art Gallery with refreshments, a curator tour, and engaging activities for all ages on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The run of the exhibit features a rich array of programming that will complicate, complement, and interweave themes of the exhibition with talks, workshops, guided tours, films, and other programs. Come celebrate the ingenuity and vibrant culture of contemporary Native artists and experience firsthand the extraordinary art that continues to shape and define Native art markets across the nation.