Native America Calling: Two Native artists making waves in the arts world

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Native America Calling: Two Native artists making waves in the arts world

Monday, July 6, 2026

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Two Native artists making waves in the arts world

A piece by artist Jeffrey Gibson (Mississippi Band of Choctaw and Cherokee) titled “Yet With a Steady Beat” is part of an exhibit in the brand new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which opened to the public in June 2026.

The large, colorful canvas is dotted with political buttons that would’ve been seen in movements for Native rights, farmers’ rights, and civil rights. Being handpicked by Democratic former president Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama for the exhibit is just one of several prestigious honors and awards garnered by Gibson in recent years.

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Meanwhile, up-and-coming artist and influencer Tyler Free-LaMere (Winnebago) is being recognized for her music composition work. Her music combines the Ho-Chunk language, which caught the attention of the National Endowment for the Arts.

With the federal agency’s partnership, Tyler is now a published musician. Her work has been made available for music lessons and curriculums as an example of contemporary Native music.