Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) will present "Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation," a major exhibition highlighting the work of more than 60 Anishinaabe artists from Michigan and the Great Lakes region in both the United States and Canada. The exhibition, which runs from September 28, 2025, through April 8, 2026, features over 90 works and is noted as one of the largest presentations of contemporary Native American art in the Midwest. It marks the first major Native American art exhibition at the DIA in over three decades.

The exhibition explores themes central to Anishinaabe culture and history, using various artistic media such as beadwork, birchbark artistry, clothing, film, photography, graphic design, jewelry, painting, pottery, sculpture, and woodwork. Galleries are organized around themes including clothing and style, nature, water protection, and generational knowledge transfer.

“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 Dr. Denene De Quintal, DIA Assistant Curator of Native American Art. “We have worked together to ensure that this exhibition represents the diversity and dynamism of contemporary Anishinaabe art while honoring the cultural traditions from which these works originate. What emerges is not just an art exhibition, but a testament to the creativity, and continuing presence of the Anishinaabe people.”

Dr. De Quintal developed the exhibition with input from an advisory board composed of Ojibwe (Chippewa), Ottawa (Odawa), and Potawatomi (Pottawatomi) artists. The show will be presented in both English and Anishnaabemowin—the Indigenous language spoken throughout much of the Great Lakes area.

“The advisory board consists of working Anishinaabe artists from across the Great Lakes region and beyond,” said the advisory council. “Recognizing the need to uplift contemporary Anishinaabe arts, we worked with the Detroit Institute of Arts curatorial and exhibition team to delve into the rich history, evolving cultural and artistic practices, and continuing stories of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa. Our collaborative efforts resulted in a diverse range of artistry, innovation, and craftsmanship to highlight the brilliance of Anishinaabe creatives.”

Exhibition content includes works that honor elders while addressing youth experiences—highlighting intergenerational connections within Anishinaabe communities—and visual motifs like Thunderbird imagery that carry varied significance across different groups.

“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 Detroit Institute of Arts Director Salvador Salort-Pons. “The DIA’s presentation demonstrates that Native American artists are at the forefront of contemporary artistic expression, creating powerful works that speak to both ancestral influences and present-day experiences. We are honored to provide a platform for these original voices and to deepen our community’s understanding of the rich artistic traditions that continue to flourish in our region.”

A full-length illustrated catalogue featuring essays by several scholars will accompany "Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation." The publication is edited by Dr. Denene De Quintal with contributions from Matthew L. M. Fletcher JD; Dr. Christopher T. Green; Dr. Kendra Greendeer; and Dr. Shawnya Harris; it is published by Yale University Press.

Support for this project comes from several organizations: lead support is provided by the Ford Foundation, with major funding also contributed by Jennifer Adderley and the Henry Luce Foundation. Additional backing comes from entities such as the DTE Foundation, Richard Sonenklar & Gregory Haynes; Andra Rush & Rush Group Companies; Carlene & Rob Van Voorhies; Peggy & Dave Meador.