Gina Brooks

/

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Maliseet

MEDIUM: Diverse Arts

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
The artist, Gina Brooks, Maliseet, works in many art forms, including pen and ink, acrylic paint, ash baskets, quillwork, moosehair embroidery, and countless more. Considering herself an artist that is informed by Wabanaki culture and tradition, Gina uses traditional knowledge and designs to create intricate, one of a kind pieces that often reflect Wabanaki oral histories. Join Gina at various times during the week to learn about her different mediums, artistic process, and cultural influence as a professional artist.

 

Connect with Gina

 
 
 
 
 

J.J. Otero

/

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Navajo

MEDIUM: Diverse Arts, Jewelry

BIOGRAPHY
JJ worked in IT for 25 years before moving into the art world full-time. Outside of a short stint painting, with some success, in 2010, JJ focused diligently on his musical craft, a true passion. JJ’s life was shaken up, and in 2016, he found himself moving back to the Navajo reservation, searching for a means to make a living. During this time of resetting, chores around the family home required JJ to be resourceful with materials such as wood, metal, and tools. His father, Chester, worked on a rickety table, barely holding up his chainsaws and chain sharpening equipment. JJ set out to find old 2x4’s and some screws and cobbled together a work bench and seat that his dad still uses today. More than a year and various woodworking projects later, his sister Cleo asked if he could make a cradleboard for her coming grandchild. That first cradleboard was the beginning of JJ’s career in the arts. JJ’s philosophy guides all things in his life: This moment is perfect and there’s nothing lacking. With this deep abiding fire, JJ continues to admire the texture and beauty of wood grain and continues to be amazed by the smell of freshly sawn wood. In addition, JJ’s unique stamping and texturing styles make his silverwork stand out, a newer passion in his ever-growing career!

Read full bio here >

 

CONNECT WITH J.J.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dawn Spears

/
Dawn+Spears.jpg

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Narragansett/Choctaw

MEDIUM: Clothing, Diverse Arts, Painting/Illustration

ARTIST STATEMENT
My work reflects all facets of life. My mother Diosa Summers, Choctaw was an artist and educator who inspired and encouraged creativity in me and my siblings at an early age. I grew up being exposed to many forms of artmaking, assisting her was my introduction to art. It was inevitable that I would end up with similar interests.  I am a mother of three, a wife of thirty-six years to Cassius and a grandmother of seven, I find as an artist, that being able to create original art that has elements of my culture and tradition, is my best form of expression, I use symbolism and the rich colors of our natural world as inspiration for my abstract paintings and designs.

 

Connect with Dawn

 
 
 
 
 

Jannette Vanderhoop

/
Vanderhoopm, Jannette.jpeg

TRIBAL AFFILIATION: Aquinnah Wampanoag

MEDIUM: Diverse Arts, Jewelry

BIOGRAPHY
Jannette Vanderhoop is from the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe (Gay Head) on Martha’s Vineyard. Her modus operandi is to “educate people to respect nature through art” and so, she produces her work as a form of environmental expression. By utilizing random parts of the natural world, including found and reconstituted materials, there is no lack of inspiration or originality. She has mastered concepts of color, shape and design experimenting with materials and techniques.

Using locally sourced wampum shells from the rugged coastline of Martha’s Vineyard, Jannette’s organic, colorful jewelry is appreciated for both its eccentricity and it’s simplicity. Meant to inspire both the wearer and the viewer and connect them to the essence of the sea. Each colorful piece she makes is a wearable art object that nods to her culture and the history of her tribe while also celebrating her connection to the land.

 

Connect with Jannette