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Art Gallery

Healing and Art

The creative arts have a special place in Native healing and wellness. Some artworks are specifically focused on healing, but ceremonies and objects that serve other purposes can also have a healing aspect. In healing ceremonies the arts play a direct role in the healing process, and paintings such as the ones in this collection also help keep traditions alive for new generations. The Native artists represented here draw from a long history of painting on pottery, hides, and other materials as well as creating pictographs and petroglyphs. The diversity of styles and subjects reflects the diversity of healing practices and health issues faced by different Native groups.

Color painting of several Natives performing the Choctaw Sick Dance around a pole structure.
Color painting of Native individuals participating in a Navaho healing rite, which is being performed next to a fire.
Color painting of several Native individuals participating in the Cheyenne Sun Dance, which is being performed inside of a structure made out of tree branches.
Color painting depicting the back of a Native American, who is sitting down while wearing a blue and red blanket.
Color painting of several Native Americans dressed in ceremonial regalia while performing the Turtle Dance.
Color painting of a single Native American, kneeling in front of a fire, on a red background.
Color painting of three Native individuals, two kneeling and one standing, in front of a fire.
Color image depicting a ceramic statue of a Native American with their face painted blue.
Color image of a handmade, embroidered rug, with various designs in darker colors.
Color image of a handmade, bright red rug, with various embroidered designs.

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