Indigenous Craft

Part of Handwork 2026

Guest Curators Robin Little Wing Sigo (Suquamish Tribe) and Miranda Belarde-Lewis (Zuni/Tlingit) present a survey of Indigenous (Native American and First Nations) craft artists, working in traditional and contemporary forms. Media will include fiber/textiles such as ceremonial regalia and narrative and decorative art; carving; ceramics; glass; and jewelry art. Artists will be drawn from the Salish Sea area, which includes bodies of water (traditional highways of canoe people) within Washington State and British Columbia.

Miranda Belarde-Lewis (PhD) is an assistant professor, the inaugural Jill and Joe McKinstry Endowed Faculty Fellow of Native North American Indigenous Knowledge at the University of Washington’s Information School. She’s also an independent curator who works with artists and tribal, state, federal and international institutions and organizations to promote Native artists and their work.

Robin Little Wing Sigo, is the Director of the Suquamish Research & Strategic Development Department, which includes the Suquamish Foundation. She is a member of the Suquamish Tribe and sits on the Tribal Council.

Both guest curators have worked with BIMA on previous Indigenous exhibitions and cultural partnerships. This will be the fourth major Indigenous exhibition that BIMA has produced since opening in 2013.