Inside the "Creating Tradition" art exhibit at Epcot

A dynamic map of the United States sets the stage for “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” exhibit in the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot. The map features undulating projections highlight the seven American Indian regions across the nation. Music playing in the gallery derives from American Indian tribes and regions represented throughout the exhibition. The gallery showcases the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past. The pieces demonstrate how ancestral American Indian craftsmanship influences modern generations of Native artists. (David Roark, photographer)

American Indian history and culture come to life in a new art exhibition at Walt Disney World Resort that debuted July 27. “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” at Epcot displays the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past, demonstrating how ancestral craftsmanship influences modern generations.

Inside the "Creating Tradition" art exhibit at Epcot

The Walt Disney World gallery exhibition “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” in The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot showcases the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past. The pieces demonstrate how ancestral American Indian craftsmanship influences modern generations of Native artists. The exhibition features items on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Seminole tribe, the Potawatomi tribe and Richard Hammel. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

The exhibition opened at the American Heritage Gallery inside The American Adventure pavilion. The 89 pieces on display represent 40 different American Indian tribes from seven geographic regions across the United States.

Inside the "Creating Tradition" art exhibit at Epcot

Miss Florida Seminole, Cheyenne Kippenberger, and Jr. Miss Florida Seminole, Allegra Billie, of the Seminole Tribe, see how intricate American Indian beadwork techniques are passed down through generations while viewing dolls on display in “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” inside The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort. The dolls were created by artists Juanita Growing Thunder and her grandmother, Joyce Growing Thunder, with the Assiniboine/Sioux tribes. Both dolls are on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The exhibition showcases the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past, demonstrating how ancestral craftsmanship influences modern generations. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

At Epcot, guests are invited to celebrate the limitless possibilities of human imagination and innovation. By showcasing artwork from so many diverse American Indian tribes, ‘Creating Tradition’ is a wonderful way to share a vital part of the United States’ culture with all those who visit The American Adventure.
Melissa Valiquette, vice president of Epcot

Inside the "Creating Tradition" art exhibit at Epcot

The Walt Disney World gallery exhibition “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” in The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot showcases the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past. The pieces demonstrate how ancestral American Indian craftsmanship influences modern generations of Native artists. The exhibition features items on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Seminole tribe, the Potawatomi tribe and Richard Hammel. (David Roark, photographer)

Highlights from the collection include:

  • Fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) used the patterns on a jar made in the 1900s by an Acoma Pueblo potter as inspiration for his “Ancient Resonance” dress.
  • A Pokagon Potawatomi black ash hamper basket, made in the early 1900s, is paired with modern baskets, exemplifying how this technique is maintained over centuries. For example, on display is “Mother’s Womb,” a basket made by Cherish Nebeshanze Parrish (Potawatomi/Odawa) in 2011.
  • A Chilkat blanket from Alaska dating to the 1890s complements “Raven and the Box of Daylight,” a 2017 glass sculpture by Preston Singletary (Tlingit). This piece shows how Singletary experiments with designs from his Tlingit heritage in mediums beyond traditional Native materials.

“Creating Tradition” also offers three interactive video exhibits where contemporary American Indian artists share perspectives on their work and culture. When guests wave their hands in front of a display resembling a campfire, the “flames” transform into a video presentation. Music playing in the gallery, performed by Native musicians, supports the objects and regions represented throughout the exhibition.

Inside the "Creating Tradition" art exhibit at Epcot

Members of the Seminole Tribe participate in a music and stomp dance, Friday, July 27, 2018, to celebrate the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort gallery exhibition “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” in The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot. The gallery exhibit showcases the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past. The pieces demonstrate how ancestral American Indian craftsmanship influences modern generations of Native artists. The exhibition features items on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Seminole tribe, the Potawatomi tribe and Richard Hammel. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

The new art exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Leaders from both cultural institutions were on hand for the gallery opening.

I am delighted to recognize this association with Disney as their leadership shares the vision and creativity of contemporary American Indian artists with international visitors. We hope Epcot visitors will see the American experience begins with the American Indians who have always been here.
Kevin Gover (Pawnee), director of the National Museum of the American Indian

We are honored to collaborate with Walt Disney Imagineering and the Smithsonian in developing this exhibition. Hopefully, it will foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the various tribes located in almost every state in this nation, and people seeing these artifacts will be inspired and strive to learn more about American Indians.
Della Warrior (Otoe-Missouria), director of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

Inside the "Creating Tradition" art exhibit at Epcot

Seminole Indian medicine man and rainmaker, Bobby Henry, visits the Walt Disney World Resort gallery exhibition “Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art” in The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot. The gallery showcases the work of contemporary Native artists alongside artifacts from centuries past. The pieces demonstrate how ancestral American Indian craftsmanship influences modern generations of Native artists. The exhibition features items on loan from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Seminole tribe, the Potawatomi tribe and Richard Hammel. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

The dedication ceremony for “Creating Tradition” included a blessing from Seminole Tribe of Florida representative Bobby Henry and a stomp dance performance by Seminole tribe members.

During the next five years, the exhibition will feature new artifacts and refreshed displays, incorporating pieces from more of the 573 American Indian tribes recognized by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (www.bia.gov).