New American Indian Art Exhibit At Epcot Explores Innovation and Change

Coming this summer to the American Heritage Gallery at The American Adventure in Epcot is a brand new exhibition called "Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art". Like previous exhibits that made their home in this space, Disney announce that the new exhibition will feature interactive elements allowing guests will learn about the creative process and inspirations behind the works in the artists own words.


Traditional Horse Mask by Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty in the National Museum of the American Indian Collection


"Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art" is set to feature some prominent names from diverse Native American communities that are putting their own spin on traditional arts. Some of the works on display will come from "fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo), noted doll maker Glenda McKay (Ingalik-Athabascan), and Juanita Growing Thunder (Assiniboine Sioux) from the Growing Thunder family of Montana."

While Disney's past representation of Native American culture has not always been the best and I'm happy to see this group of artists moving innovative cultural expression to the forefront of the American Adventure. "Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art" is a new collaboration by Disney in conjunction with two museum partners dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of the Native cultures. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian are both committed to bringing Native voices into the modern conversation.

I have hope that in bringing this new art exhibit to the American Heritage Gallery shows a new sensitivity and huge step forward in celebrating the heritage of First Nations in the United States. I can't wait to see it. What about you?