Native Arts in Miniature logo.

Native Arts in Miniature

Native Arts in Miniature explores diverse tribal traditions, family heritage, and creative innovations expressed by Native American artists working in miniature. Video interviews and written interpretation highlight artists’ voices discussing their artworks, techniques, and inspirations.


Upcoming Events

Portrait of LaDonna Victoriano.

 

Meet the Maker: Clay Miniature Workshop with LaDonna Victoriano

Join artist-in-resident LaDonna Victoriano (Pueblo of Acoma), featured artist in “Native Arts in Miniature,” for a three-day hands-on workshop, June 5–7, exploring clay, culture, storytelling, and small-scale making.

Learn More

Meet the Maker: Conversation with the Curators and LaDonna Victoriano

Join Victoriano in conversation with curators at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures to discuss her creative practice, personal history, and artworks’ connection to her culture. Her son, Jesse Saavedra, will also share about the family practice of gathering art materials from the mountains of their reservation.

Learn More

About the Artist

Victoriano is a ceramic artist inspired by, and working with, traditional elements that incorporate contemporary innovations. The pottery that she makes comes from clay that she and her family gather in the mountains of their reservation. She also uses the shards from those mountains for temper and incorporates the designs found on them into her work. Her designs and patterns are hand painted with a yucca brush using Native paints.


Miniature basket with a seal head on the lid.

Image credit: Baleen Basket, 2023, Donald Johnston, Qagun Tayagungin

Advisory Group

Travis Campbell (he/him), Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma/Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma/Delaware Tribe of Indians
Naalkh DeAsis (he/him), Tlinkit
Christina Haswood (she/her), Navajo
Sydney Pursel (she/her/hers), Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska

Miniature kachina doll.

Image credit: Katsina Carving, c. 1980, Lawrence Namoki, Hopi (1949-2020) 


This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund; the Henry Luce Foundation; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Tepa Companies; Travois; and a generous anonymous donor.

Supporter logos for Native Arts in Miniature.

 

Native Arts in Miniature explores diverse tribal traditions, family heritage, and creative innovations expressed by Native American artists working in miniature. Video interviews and written interpretation highlight artists’ voices discussing their artworks, techniques, and inspirations.


Upcoming Events

Portrait of LaDonna Victoriano.

 

Meet the Maker: Clay Miniature Workshop with LaDonna Victoriano

Join artist-in-resident LaDonna Victoriano (Pueblo of Acoma), featured artist in “Native Arts in Miniature,” for a three-day hands-on workshop, June 5–7, exploring clay, culture, storytelling, and small-scale making.

Learn More

Meet the Maker: Conversation with the Curators and LaDonna Victoriano

Join Victoriano in conversation with curators at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures to discuss her creative practice, personal history, and artworks’ connection to her culture. Her son, Jesse Saavedra, will also share about the family practice of gathering art materials from the mountains of their reservation.

Learn More

About the Artist

Victoriano is a ceramic artist inspired by, and working with, traditional elements that incorporate contemporary innovations. The pottery that she makes comes from clay that she and her family gather in the mountains of their reservation. She also uses the shards from those mountains for temper and incorporates the designs found on them into her work. Her designs and patterns are hand painted with a yucca brush using Native paints.


Miniature basket with a seal head on the lid.

Image credit: Baleen Basket, 2023, Donald Johnston, Qagun Tayagungin

Advisory Group

Travis Campbell (he/him), Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma/Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma/Delaware Tribe of Indians
Naalkh DeAsis (he/him), Tlinkit
Christina Haswood (she/her), Navajo
Sydney Pursel (she/her/hers), Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska

Miniature kachina doll.

Image credit: Katsina Carving, c. 1980, Lawrence Namoki, Hopi (1949-2020) 


This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund; the Henry Luce Foundation; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Tepa Companies; Travois; and a generous anonymous donor.

Supporter logos for Native Arts in Miniature.

 

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Date

Apr 25 2026

Time

All Day

Labels

Exhibition,
Featured Exhibition

Category

Date:

Mar 28, 2026 – Jan 25, 2027

Time:

All Day

Age:

All Ages

Category:

Miniatures

a couple walks toward the front door of the Museum
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