DIA’s First Major Native American Exhibition in Three Decades, Enters Final Weekend

In its final days, a landmark exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts is drawing attention to contemporary Native American creativity and cultural continuity across the Great Lakes region. “Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation,” on view through April 5, marks the DIA’s first major Native American art exhibition in more than three decades and one of the largest presentations of contemporary Native American work in the Midwest.

Featuring more than 90 works by over 60 Native American artists from Michigan and surrounding areas in the United States and Canada, the exhibition highlights the enduring culture, innovation, and storytelling traditions of the Anishinaabe people. The show spans a wide range of artistic mediums, including beadwork, birchbark artistry, clothing, film, photography, graphic design, jewelry, painting, pottery, sculpture, and woodwork – demonstrating both ancestral influences and contemporary perspectives.

“This exhibition marks a major moment for the DIA as we celebrate the vibrant, living cultures of the Anishinaabe and their profound contributions to contemporary art,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, director of the DIA. He emphasized that the presentation underscores how Native artists are shaping contemporary artistic expression while drawing from deep cultural roots.

Conceived by Denene De Quintal, DIA Associate Curator of Native American Art, the exhibition was developed in collaboration with an advisory committee of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi artists. The bilingual presentation, offered in both English and Anishinaabemowin, reflects the exhibition’s emphasis on cultural authenticity and community partnership.

“This exhibition has been a collaborative process that could not have happened without the trust, guidance, and generous sharing of knowledge from our Anishinaabe advisory board and the artists themselves,” said De Quintal, describing the show as “not just an art exhibition, but a testament to the creativity and continuing presence of the Anishinaabe people.”

The concept of “continuation” shapes the exhibition’s thematic galleries, which explore teaching, generational knowledge, environmental stewardship, storytelling, fashion and jewelry design, and the protection of water. The passing of knowledge between elders and youth is visible throughout the galleries, as are symbols such as the Thunderbird, interpreted in varied ways across communities. Together, the works emphasize the interconnected relationship between identity, spirituality, and the lands and waters of the Great Lakes.

Artists represented in the exhibition come from 21 Anishinaabe nations, offering a broad cross-section of perspectives and artistic approaches. The presentation also includes an illustrated catalogue published by Yale University Press, featuring essays that explore how contemporary Anishinaabe art engages the present while honoring long-standing traditions.

As the exhibition enters its final week, museum leaders encourage visitors to experience a show that challenges conventional understandings of Native American art while celebrating living cultures. With its scale, collaborative development, and regional focus, “Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation” represents a significant milestone for the DIA, and a powerful closing chapter to a historic exhibition.

Museum Hours and Admission

Friday: 9am – 9pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm

Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation is free with museum admission, which is always free for residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

During the run of Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation, the DIA is offering free general admission for visitors with a tribal ID, along with any accompanying children who do not have a tribal ID. Free admission with tribal ID is made possible with support from The Rush Group of Companies.