DETROIT, MICH.- The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) proudly presents Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation, a special exhibition that celebrates the enduring culture and creative achievements of the Anishinaabe, featuring more than 60 Anishinaabe artists from Michigan and across the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. With over 90 works on view, this extensive and inspiring show is one of the largest presentations of contemporary Native American art in the Midwest, and the first major Native American art exhibition at the DIA in over 30 years.


Cressandra Thibodeaux (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa), Fever Visions I, 2023. Courtesy of the artist.

On view September 28, 2025, through April 8, 2026, this survey of contemporary art will highlight and explore the history, perspectives, and continuing story of the Anishinaabe people. The DIA’s exhibition aims to challenge perceptions about what Native American art can be, how it should be seen, and how it can be interpreted, by highlighting a breadth of viewpoints artistic voices. The exhibition will showcase a diverse range of Anishinaabe artists through more than 90 contemporary art works, including beadwork, birchbark artistry, clothing, film, photography, graphic design, jewelry, painting, pottery, sculpture, and woodwork.


Gordon M. Coons (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Washita 1868: Remember Our Relatives, 2022. Courtesy of the artist.

“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.”


Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Band of Ojibwe), Basil's Dream, 2024. Courtesy of the artist.

Dr. De Quintal conceived the exhibition with guidance and collaboration from an advisory board consisting of Ojibwe (Chippewa), Ottawa (Odawa), and Potawatomi (Pottawatomi) artists. The exhibition will be presented in English as well as Anishnaabemowin, the Native American language of the Great Lakes region.


Moira Villiard (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), The Waters of Tomorrow, 2019. Courtesy of the artist.

“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.”


Norval Morrisseau (Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation), Punk Rockers, 1989. The Estate of Norval Morrisseau © Estate of Norval Morrisseau.

Exhibition galleries work as a throughline to connect a variety of themes including clothing and style, nature, water protection and generations. The passing of knowledge between generations becomes visible through works that honor elders while speaking to youth experiences, creating bridges across time that strengthen cultural continuity. The profound connection between the Anishinaabe people and their ancestral lands and waters runs throughout the exhibition, reflecting an understanding that identity, spirituality, and artistic expression emerge from a place, in this case the Great Lakes. Several works depict symbols like the Thunderbird, a significant icon across communities with different artistic interpretations, illustrating how historical meanings acquire new layers of significance in contemporary contexts.


Holly Trevan (Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi), Zibé, 2024. Courtesy of the artist.

“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.”


Michelle Defoe (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Ziigwan Binesi – Spring Thunderbird, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.

The show will feature more than 60 artists hailing from across 21 Anishinaabe tribes.


Jessica Leigh Gokey (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), She Loves, 2023–2024. Courtesy of the artist.

A full-length, illustrated catalogue with essays will be published to accompany the exhibition. The book’s essays delve into how contemporary Anishinaabe art resonates with the present while paying homage to enduring artistic traditions and celebrates the voices of artists who have been historically excluded from the mainstream art world. This special catalogue 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. The special catalogue is published by Yale University Press.