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
Makers Workshop: Ledger Art with Tokeya Waci U
Join artist Tokeya Waci U (Oglala Lakota / Haliwa-Sapon) to learn about how First Nations people communicated, kept records, and told stories in ways that transcended time. Contemporary Native artists use old ledger paper (usually dating to the late 1800s to early 1930s) for storytelling in a way that is similar to historic hide painting but more accessible today. Workshop participants will learn drawing techniques to make their own ledger art pieces with their family’s story and spiritual energy. Each ledger artwork will be created on the same material paper as the artist’s ancestors used.
Art supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Admission is $39 ($30 for Museum Members). This event is 18+.
Doors open at 6PM for an opportunity to view Native Arts in Miniature before the workshop.
Past Events
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.
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.
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.
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), Diné/Navajo
Sydney Pursel (she/her/hers), Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
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.
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
Makers Workshop: Ledger Art with Tokeya Waci U
Join artist Tokeya Waci U (Oglala Lakota / Haliwa-Sapon) to learn about how First Nations people communicated, kept records, and told stories in ways that transcended time. Contemporary Native artists use old ledger paper (usually dating to the late 1800s to early 1930s) for storytelling in a way that is similar to historic hide painting but more accessible today. Workshop participants will learn drawing techniques to make their own ledger art pieces with their family’s story and spiritual energy. Each ledger artwork will be created on the same material paper as the artist’s ancestors used.
Art supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Admission is $39 ($30 for Museum Members). This event is 18+.
Doors open at 6PM for an opportunity to view Native Arts in Miniature before the workshop.
Past Events
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.
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.
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.
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), Diné/Navajo
Sydney Pursel (she/her/hers), Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
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.
Date
- Jul 29 2026
Time
- All Day
Labels
- Exhibition,
- Featured Exhibition
Category
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