New Central Art Show Celebrates Indigenous Lutheran Artists

Central’s Fine Arts Team is excited to present this special showing of art from Lutheran artists who are Indigenous North Americans. This exhibit is meant to both acknowledge and celebrate the breadth and beauty of Indigenous contributions to the Lutheran faith.

Indigenous peoples as a whole have a fraught relationship with Christianity and have since the first explorers made their way across the Atlantic. The Doctrine of Discovery, a series of papal bulls that allowed for Christian nations to conquer non-Christians in the name of God, was the grounding justification for colonization and the genocide of Indigenous people around the world. Later, church involvement in the U.S. Indian Boarding School and adoption eras, cemented for many individuals hard feelings toward the Christian religion.

Despite these entirely justified feelings, there are many Indigenous leaders whose presence and perspective play a vital and necessary role in the church. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) endeavors to support Indigenous ministries and Indigenous leaders in ministry in our church. As we gathered art for this exhibit, we reached out to no fewer than 23 ELCA Indigenous ministries from across the United States. What you see on display here is artwork that is meaningful to the leaders of our church who are descendants of the original inhabitants of Turtle Island (North America).

In this art show you can find drawings, paintings, and photographs, but also some other traditional mediums. In Indigenous communities of the past (and present), art was beautiful but also functional. Clothing and beadwork were made to wear for ceremony or everyday use. Baskets were woven and pottery painted to be works of art that also carried, contained, and cooked. Blankets were woven or sewed and were used to keep warm, tell stories, or give as gifts. These art forms are still practiced today in addition to all the more modern art forms available.

This display will remain up through Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Monday, October 13.