The Freeport Art Museum is excited to showcase two powerful voices in contemporary Native American art: Chelsea Bighorn and Hattie Lee Mendoza.
Chicago-based artist Chelsea Bighorn (Lakota, Dakota, Shoshone-Paiute, and Irish American) blends her rich heritage into deeply personal works that explore identity and storytelling. With a BFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, her art reflects both tradition and modern expression.
Hattie Lee Mendoza, a multi-disciplinary artist from Fowler, Kansas, now based in Peoria, Illinois, draws inspiration from her Cherokee ancestry and her family’s history. Her use of repurposed and recycled materials echoes the resilience and resourcefulness of her grandmother’s generation, bringing history and heritage into dialogue with contemporary practice.
These exhibitions are part of the museum’s BIPOC Initiative, launched in 2021 to uplift artists of color and expand inclusivity for our patrons and community. We invite you to experience these exhibitions and join us in celebrating the creativity, heritage, and stories of these remarkable artists.
Also check out other Arts events in Freeport, Exhibitions in Freeport.
