Phoebe Charpentier, M.A.; PhD Student, Applied Intercultural Arts Research; Communications Specialist of Western Museums Association
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Koffler Great Room at ASA and Zoom
The Arizona State Museum’s Avery Collection features artworks from the first generation of modern Native American artists, primarily from the Southwest. Collected by Marjorie Pierce Avery over 33 years, these pieces address the social realities of colonial conditions, with Native women playing a pivotal role as communal leaders and stewards of the land.
This research, presented by Phoebe Charpentier, explores how these women advocate for their families and nations through visual articulations of foundational Native philosophies, bridging cultural divides while centering the Indigenous experience. Focusing on these key figures helps us better understand their work, promotes “visual sovereignty,” and encourages deeper appreciation of Native women’s art in support of a more self-determined future.