Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Explore the art, history and cultures of the West and Native America. A cultural gem for more than 30 years, the Eiteljorg Museum contains some of the most renowned collections of Native American and Western art in the world, and offers can't-miss special exhibitions and dynamic programming for guests of all ages.

Exhibits

Exhibits:

Quest for the West
Masterpieces in Quest for the West® capture moments in time that range from the early days of settlers in the rugged West to contemporary expressions of our lives today. Now in its 17th year, Quest is one of the top Western art shows in the country. On exhibit September 11 through October 9, 2021.

All New Native American Galleries
Expressions of Life: Native Art in North America
The Eiteljorg has taken the initiative to change the way museums typically tell Native Americans’ stories by creating a space for the peoples themselves to tell their own stories. The galleries provide a contextual experience organized around the themes of relation, continuation, and innovation, demonstrating the continuum of Native art. New multimedia allows visitors to connect more personally and directly with the art. The galleries include a large interactive digital map wall of North America, artworks presented in all-glass cases viewable in 360 degrees, interactive touchscreens and activity tables, and downloadable audio descriptions of artworks.

Programming:

Artist in Residence, Monica Raphael (Anishinaabe - Sicangu Lakota)
Spending most of her life in the woodlands of northern lower Michigan, Monica Raphael a 5th generation quill worker and culture bearer feels as if she’s having a conversation with her ancestors when creating her interpretation of an art that predates European contact and the introduction of glass seed beads. Quickly mastering both the woodland flora and fauna designs for which her family was known, Monica has excelled in creating even more complex designs while using traditional materials and techniques along with bright modern colors to create a modern twist to a timeless artform. Her award-winning work is quickly becoming known all over the world for its clear intention to craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to patience. Monica’s work has received many accolades as well as ribbons at many of the largest and most well know Indian Markets. Her award-winning works have been added to the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. In 2021 she was awarded the First Peoples Fund Cultural Capital Fellowship and the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation LIFT Fellowship to pass on traditional woodland quillwork
knowledge.

Meet Monica and learn more about her art and culture during her artist residency, September 14 - October 1, 2022.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.