Beyond the Art

Award-winning Cherokee and Kiowa filmmaker Loren Waters takes us on a journey through her transformative path in the film industry, starting with her roots in environmental studies and culminating in her influential roles in television and film. We engage with Loren as she shares her passion for storytelling, underscoring the power it holds in amplifying Native voices and inspiring cultural revita...

Visionary contemporary artist Kent Monkman invites us into the brilliantly transformative world of his creative endeavors, where art becomes a powerful tool for rewriting history. As Kent prepares to showcase "History is Painted by the Victors" at the Denver Art Museum, he shares how childhood visits to museums in Winnipeg ignited his mission to challenge the biased portrayals of Indigenous people...

Keri Ataumbi, a trailblazing artist from the Kiowa tribe, joins us to share her transformative journey through the world of Indigenous jewelry. Raised on the Wind River Reservation and inspired by her mother, Jeri Ah-be-hill, the first Native female trading post owner, Keri redefines Indigenous adornment. Her creations, crafted from materials like gold, shell, quill, and bone, are not just accesso...

Acclaimed multidisciplinary Native American artist Neal Ambrose-Smith takes us on a fascinating journey through the intersection of heritage and contemporary art. Neal shares how his diverse tribal lineage influences his work, challenging stereotypes and expanding perceptions of what Native American art can encompass. He candidly discusses the cultural hurdles faced by Native artists in the mainst...

Amber-Dawn Bear Robe invites us on a vibrant exploration of Indigenous fashion, revealing the layered stories and cultural significance behind each piece. As a luminary in Indigenous art, fashion, and education, Amber-Dawn shares her journey from the Siksika Nation in Alberta to her influential role in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Through her experiences, we unravel how her heritage and the political nat...

Renowned artist Marie Watt, a proud member of the Seneca Nation, invites us into her vibrant world of Indigenous art, where tradition meets innovation. With an extraordinary mix of text, textiles, beadwork, sculptures, and neon, Marie shares her journey from her early days at Willamette University to her transformative experiences at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her art is a profound ref...

Journey with us into the colorful and thought-provoking world of Native American art with our special guest, Laura J. Allen. As the Curator of Native American Art at the Montclair Art Museum, Laura shares her fascinating journey from the American Museum of Natural History to her current role, where she spearheads groundbreaking projects. She sheds light on the collaborative vision behind the reins...

Join us for a captivating conversation with Jennifer Younger, a remarkable Tlingit metalwork and jewelry artist whose work has not only graced the cover of British Vogue but also resonates deeply with cultural significance. Jennifer shares her inspiring journey of reconnecting with her Tlingit heritage, driven by a desire to bridge the cultural gaps left by her grandmother’s boarding school experi...

Join us for a captivating exploration of Indigenous art and innovation with the multi-talented Tai Leclaire – actor, comedian, and director. Tai takes us through his creative journey, beginning with his powerful short film "Headdress" that wowed audiences at Sundance. Drawing from his own experiences with microaggressions and casual racism, Tai shares how his improvisational skills have been pivot...

Join us on a journey through the vibrant world of Native American art and creativity as we celebrate our podcast's third year. As hosts, Cray Bauxmont-Flynn and Joe Williams, we reflect on the evolution of "Beyond the Art" and the incredible artists we've had the pleasure of showcasing. We share standout moments and stories from the past year, featuring inspiring conversations with Jeffrey Gibson...

Celebrated Indigenous filmmaker and fashion designer Peshawn Bread graces our podcast with her powerful insights and inspiring journey. As we traverse the landscape of Peshawn's artistry, she unveils the rich tapestry woven by her Comanche, Kiowa, and Cherokee heritage into her creative work. From film to fashion, Peshawn champions the representation of Indigenous queer narratives, ensuring that j...

When KP from Black Belt Eagle Scout graced us with her presence, we were struck by the serendipity behind the band's name—a tale woven from spontaneity rather than premeditation. She enchanted us with stories of how her Indigenous roots and personal voyage infuse her music with both healing and understanding—a soundscape where love is the enduring motif. As we conversed, KP unfolded the narrative...

Ever been captivated by the sheer intricacy of beadwork or wondered about the stories woven into each piece? Martha Berry, a Cherokee National Treasure and bead artist, graces our podcast with a vivid tale of heritage and identity, stitched together with the timeless artistry of her people's beadwork. We unravel her deeply personal connection to the craft, from the early days of reviving ancestral...

Join us for an enriching conversation with the incredibly talented Nacona Burgess, as we explore his remarkable journey as a Native American artist and the power of storytelling through his paintings. Hailing from Oklahoma, Nacona takes us through his experiences growing up around the country, how it shaped his understanding of different tribes, and the unique approach he takes to create his art,...

Cherokee photographer and filmmaker Cody Hammer shares an inspiring story of self-discovery and creative resilience that is bound to captivate our listeners. From an unexpected assignment at the Osage Nation, Cody's journey in photography began, evolving into a rich tapestry of visual storytelling that challenges stereotypes and celebrates Indigenous culture. He opens up about teaching himself thr...

Celebrated artist Jonathan Thunder takes us on a captivating journey through his world of art, animation, and storytelling. As a member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, Jonathan melds urban and Indigenous influences to create works that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking. Join us as Jonathan shares how his heritage and upbringing in the Twin Cities fuel his creative process, allowing...

Osamuskwasis Roan, a talented fashion designer with roots deep in Cree and Dene heritage, joins us for an inspiring conversation on Beyond the Art. Hailing from Pigeon Lake, Alberta, Osamuskwasis passionately incorporates traditional floral motifs and geometric patterns into her designs, blending time-honored techniques with cutting-edge technology. She delves into her creative process and the eth...

How does one reconcile a dual identity and create art that resonates across cultures? Join us for an inspiring episode of Beyond the Art, where we welcome Dyani White Hawk, a remarkable artist whose journey is shaped by her Native and non-native upbringing. Raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Dyani's story is one of resilience and creativity, influenced profoundly by her mother's efforts to reconnect wi...

Discover the transformative journey of John Murie, an artist from the Chippewa Cree tribe whose work transcends tradition and modernity. From his early inspiration drawn from comic books to his formal training at the Institute of American Indian Arts, John has seamlessly blended cultural heritage with contemporary elements to create art that resonates deeply. Hear about his adventures on the powwo...

Crystal Worl, an artist of Tlingit and Athabaskan heritage, captivates us with stories of her artistic journey and the cultural threads that weave through her work. Raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, she learned the intricate crafts of beading and sewing from her mother and grandmother, embedding her pieces with the rich symbolism of clan crests and the duality of raven and eagle moieties. Her art, a vi...

Join us for an unforgettable journey with Jeffrey Gibson, a groundbreaking multidisciplinary artist of Choctaw and Cherokee descent, as he shares his artistic voyage shaped by a nomadic childhood across continents. Jeffrey's narrative is woven with rich threads of Native American history and his unique personal experiences, which have culminated in a dynamic collage of materials, sounds, and ideas...

From the moment Holly Wilson picked up her first camera at age three, she knew she was destined to tell stories. Join us as Holly takes us through her incredible artistic journey, from the influence of her father's architectural work to her own exploration of bronze, paint, photography, and clay. Holly's storytelling is deeply personal and vivid, transforming everyday moments, like her children's...

What if the stories that shape our understanding of the world were told by the people who live them? Join us as we explore this profound question with Josue Rivas, an Indigenous futurist who is redefining art, technology, and journalism through a lens of decolonization. Josue takes us on his personal journey from artist to community practitioner, unveiling how his projects prioritize community nee...

Join us for an evocative conversation with the incredibly talented Dr. Jessica Moore Harjo, whose artistry is a profound celebration of her Osage, Pawnee, and Otoe heritage. Growing up in a household rich with the artistic legacy of her father, Ted Moore Jr., Jessica has seamlessly integrated traditional Indigenous motifs and colors into her work. She shares her artistic journey, from high school...

Renowned producer and artist Jhane Myers, who is Comanche and Blackfeet, graces Beyond the Art to share her incredible journey in the entertainment industry. Jhane opens up about how her heritage shapes her work, the hurdles she faces as a Native American woman, and her unwavering commitment to authentic storytelling. Dive into her current projects, including a poignant documentary on Leonard Pelt...