About
Marlena Myles
Marlena Myles is a self-taught Native American (Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee) artist located in St Paul, Minnesota. Her art brings modernity to Indigenous history, languages and oral traditions while using the land as a teacher. Growing up on her traditional Dakota homelands here in the Twin Cities, she enjoys using her artwork to teach Minnesotans of all backgrounds the Indigenous history of this place we call home.
Her professional work includes children’s books, augmented reality, murals, fabrics, animations and has shown her work in fine art galleries such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Museum of Russian Art, Red Cloud Heritage Center and the Minnesota Museum of American Art to name a few. Her first permanent site-specific augmented reality public art installation known as the Dakota Spirit Walk is available on the Revelo AR app.
In 2021, she opened her own Dakota publishing company called Wíyouŋkihipi (We Are Capable) Productions to create a platform that educates and honors the culture, language and history of Dakota people.
Interviews / News Articles
- Telling the past and present of the Dakota people through maps, MPR News (Minnesota Now), March 2, 2023
- Minnesota Artists Talk Tech in an Age of AI, Minnesota Monthly magazine, February 2023
- Dispatch: Spirits on the Land, An augmented reality art project views a natural site through a native lens, MN Department of Natural Resources, January 2023
- St. Paul artist Marlena Myles celebrates Indigenous narratives in her Google Doodle and a new exhibit, Sahan Journal, November 2022
- See Google’s logo transform into a stickball game for Native American Heritage Month, NPR News, November 2022
- New augmented reality exhibit Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk opens, CBS News, October 2022
- Minnesota artist’s work is a form of activism and connection for Native American community, Star Tribune, May 2022.
- Walk with spirits and connect with Dakota history at St. Paul nature sanctuary, Star Tribune, March 2022.
- Native artists make big splash within Twin Cities public art projects, The Circle, January 2022.
- City of Saint Paul announces public artists for Highland Bridge Development, City of Saint Paul, December 2021.
- Honoring history with Marlena Myles’ new augmented reality installation, ‘Dakota Spirit Walk’, MinnPost, December 2021.
- Public Art Unveiled at City’s New Public Service Building, MPLSART, December 2021.
- Art for a Better Future, Community Reporter, June 2021.
- Amended Episode 6: Walking in Two Worlds, Amended podcast (Humanities New York), May 2021.
- Presentation: Marlena Myles | Indigenous Narratives in a Modern Age, Haffenreffer Museum (Brown University), April 2021.
- Native artist culturing digitally, Indian Country Today, March 2021.
- Creation.Story Artist Panel, Racing Magpie, February 2021.
- Virtual Tour with Artist Marlena Myles – Dynamics of Russian Colonialism in Alaska, The Museum of Russian Art, February 2021.
- St. Paul artist Marlena Myles celebrates her Native heritage and shares little-known history in first solo exhibit, Pioneer Press, February 2021.
- Dakota artist Marlena Myles brings Native culture into the future, Star Tribune, January 2021.
- The Primer: A conversation between Marlena Myles and Morgan Thorson, the Great Northern festival, January 2021.
- ChangeMakers: Marlena Myles, educating through art and innovation, Minnesota Public Radio News, Indigenous Minnesotans making history series, November 2020.
- The Fusion of Art & Fashion: Marlena Myles, Native Max Magazine, Fashion & Art Issue 2020 , September 2020.
- Behind the Scenes: Marlena Myles’s colorful world set to Tufawon’s ‘Cinnamon’, The Current, September 2020.
- New Art Fund Amplifies Local Indigenous Voices, Minnesota Monthly, June 2020.
- On Making Art with Deep Roots – an Interview with Artist/Animator, Marlena Myles, Aloha Friday, June 2020.
- In art and words, nine illustrators from across the country grapple with 100,000 lives lost to covid-19, Washington Post, May 2020.
- Artist Profile: Breathing new life into Native legends with Marlena Myles , The Growler Magazine, March 2020.
- If This Bluff Could Talk project interview, Republican Eagle / Rivertown, December 2019.
- Kidlit411 Illustrator Spotlight: Marlena Myles, August 2019.
- Placemaker: Marlena Myles – Dakota Land Map, Verve, April 2019.
- Native American Art magazine. Issue 15. June / July 2018.
- Horse Nation Exhibit: interviews with a few of the artists. July 5, 2018, the Circle Newspaper.
- Artist Interviews. November 1, 2017, Two Rivers Gallery.
- The Sacred Hoop. April 28, 2017, First Peoples Fund Fellows Stories.
- Artist Interview | Marlena Myles, Horse Nation Exhibit Artist. November 18, 2016, Red Cloud Indian School.
- The Evolution of an Exhibition: Community Voices Help to Define the Horse Nation. August 15, 2016, Red Cloud Indian School.
- New Exhibition Featuring Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota). February 1. 2016, The Sioux Indian Museum.
Awards
- 2021 Waterers’ Amplify Sovereignty award
- 2021 Cultural Identity Legacy Grant (Minnesota Humanities Center)
- 2020 Cultural Community Partnership Grant (w/The Museum of Russian Art)
- 2020 Red Cloud Art Show | 1st place, Division: Photography/ Digital Art
- 2019 Northern Plains Indian Art Market, Division X: Digital and Computer Generated – 1st place
- 2019 Northern Plains Indian Art Market, Division VIII: Mixed Media-Fine Arts – 3rd place
- 2019 Red Cloud Art Show | 1st place, Division: Photography/ Digital Art
- 2019 Tiwahe Foundation Family Empowerment Grant
- 2018 Native POP: People of the Plains | Special Award, 2-Dimension Division
- 2018 Red Cloud Art Show | 1st place, Division IV – Photography/ Digital Art
- 2018 Red Cloud Art Show | Br. CM Simon, SJ Award, Publicity Award
- 2017 First Peoples Fund Fellowship
- 2017 Native POP: People of the Plains | Best of Award, 2-Dimension Division
- 2016 Native POP: People of the Plains | Innovation Award
- 2016 Crazy Horse Memorial Continuing Education Grant
Books & Publications
“Books for parents to read to their children, to teach them about their native heritage and reclaim the language as their own, Marlena makes art that belongs to all.”
American flag imagery by the Dakhóta and Lakȟóta people of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ
JUNE 2019, MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
Curation/essay of the Minneapolis Institute of Art collection showcased in the Arts of the Americas gallery
Hearts of Our People Teacher Guide | Native Art, Native Voices: A Resource for K-12 Learners
JUNE 2019, MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART
12 essays about Native artworks in Mia’s collection and questions to support deep looking, critical thinking, and discussion.
Yellow Medicine Review: A Journal of Indigenous Literature, Art & Thought
SPRING 2017, Cover Art
“Otter Spirit” is featured as the cover art for the 10th anniversary of this prestigious journal.
We Are a Horse Nation Documentary
JULY 2014, TIWAHE GLU KINI PI
A digital piece featured in the documentary film, piece is a tribute to the 38 Dakota warriors who were hanged in Mankato, MN in 1862 on orders signed by President Lincoln.
Indigenous Message on Water
FEBRUARY 2014, INDIGENOUS WORLD FORUM ON WATER AND PEACE
A poem about my Dakota homeland published in the multi-lingual book focusing on the sacredness of water to the Indigenous people of the Americas.
Kikta wo / kikta ye!
Illustrated for the Lower Sioux Community in Minnesota, this book is in Dakota with English subtitles. It features two stories by Tasunka Wakinyan Watogla (Ryan Dixon) and Sna Sna Win (Vanessa Goodthunder) of children attending school and visiting the clinic, both located on the Lower Sioux Reservation. Created in celebration of the opening of the first Dakota head start C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oṭi.
Thanku Poems of Gratitude
This poetry anthology, edited by Miranda Paul, explores a wide range of ways to be grateful (from gratitude for a puppy to gratitude for family to gratitude for the sky) with poems by a diverse group of contributors, including Joseph Bruchac, Margarita Engle, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Naomi Shihab Nye, Charles Waters, and Jane Yolen.
Indian No More
In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis’s own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian, American, or both? And will she and her family ever be okay? Book by Charlene Willing McManis and Traci Sorell.
PLANTS OF HEMNICAN – FREE COLORING BOOK
In 1861, the year before his death, Henry David Thoreau took a month long trip to the midwest and explored the area around the Twin Cities with his friend Horace Mann, Jr. This coloring book of Dakota plants of Ȟemníčhaŋ is inspired by his writings which I have illustrated using the floral artistic-style of Dakota people to create something that together combines our connections to Nature.
Community Art Experience:
Creating lessons, art activities and exhibitions with large institutions to engage with diverse communities and social backgrounds in all age groups with a focus on teaching Minnesota Indigenous history, Dakota oral traditions and arts. Reclaim Indigenous history and connecting it within the larger arena of voices.
- Dakota Sacred Hoop Walk @ Minnesota Landscape Arboretum / Augmented Reality Public Art Installation
FULL RELEASE 2023, CHASKA, MN - Google Doodle / Selected Guest Artist
(Celebrating Indigenous North American Stickball)
NOVEMBER 2022, ONLINE - Gustavus Adolphus College / Visiting Artist in Residence
OCTOBER 2022 – PRESENT, SAINT PETER, MN - Minnesota Marine Art Museum / Artist Community Engagement Residency
AUGUST 2022, WINONA, MN - Uŋči Makha Park (City of Saint Paul Public Art)
Augmented Reality Public Art Installation & Murals
DECEMBER 2021 – PRESENT, SAINT PAUL, MN - Dakota Spirit Walk / Augmented Reality Public Art Installation
NOVEMBER 2020 – PRESENT, SAINT PAUL, MN - Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival / Selected Muralist
MAY 2021 – PRESENT, SAINT PAUL, MN - Narrative Murals (Public Service Building) / Selected Muralist
JANUARY 2019 – PRESENT, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - If This Bluff Could Talk (Community Placemaking Exhibition) / Selected Artist
NOVEMBER 2018 – NOVEMBER 2019, RED WING, MN - Northern Spark Festival / Instructor, Lead Artist
JUNE 2018/JUNE 2019, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Migizi Communications / Visiting Artist Instructor, Designer
NOVEMBER 2017 – JULY 2019, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Hennepin County Library / Franklin Library artist-in-residence
JULY – AUGUST 2018, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Minneapolis Institute of Art / Art in the Park Instructor
JULY 2017 – 2019, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Minneapolis Institute of Art / Native American Fellowship
JULY 2017 – JUNE 2018, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute / Visiting Artist Instructor
JUNE 2017, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMILLION, SD
Leadership and Committee Experience:
Helped establish a strong local working network, engaging and building productive relationships with regional leaders of organizations while promoting the arts and cultures. Plan and execute events to create a sense of community and healing.
- The Museum of Russian Art / Board member
JANUARY 2023 – PRESENT, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Wíyouŋkihipi (We Are Capable) Productions
Owner of Dakota Book Publishing Company
JANUARY 2021 – PRESENT, ST PAUL, MN - Freeborn County Arts Initiative / Board member
SEPTEMBER 2018 – 2021, ALBERT LEA, MN - Open Streets: Franklin Ave / Planning committee member & artist
AUGUST 2018, ST PAUL, MN - Dakhóta Omniciye / Planning committee member & graphic designer
MAY 2017 / MAY 2018 / MAY 2019, FORT SNELLING, ST PAUL, MN - All My Relations Arts / Gallery Attendant & designer
FEBRUARY 2016 – FEBRUARY 2017, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Extended information
Franklin Library / Artist in Residence
JULY – AUGUST 2018, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Worked with youth to create horse bike puppets in conjunction with the Horse Nation exhibition.
Minneapolis Institute of Art / Artist Instructor | Water Is Life
JULY 2018, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Taught a week-long watercolor class to 6-7 year olds. Drawing inspiration from artworks found at Minneapolis Institute of Art, we explored different techniques using conventional and non-conventional tools as well as reflect on the many ways water is life. Also studied and painted using natural pigments including green tea, coffee, spices and red cabbage. Using these organic materials, we analyzed the health of water to not only create new pigments to paint with, but to also learn about pH levels and healthy water.
Migizi Communications / Graphic Design Instructor
NOVEMBER 2017 – FEBRUARY 2018, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Help create an anti-smoking campaign working with high school students, teaching them about graphic design in Photoshop.
Minneapolis Institute of Art / Native American Fellowship
JULY 2017 – JUNE 2018, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Develop Native art lesson plans and resources for K-12 students and adult learners. Research in depth background information on artists and pieces in the collections.
Minneapolis Institute of Art / Art in the Park Instructor
JUNE 2017 – 2021, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Developed an art activity that is mobile; taught on various locations throughout the Minneapolis park system. Working with low-income children to connect them with Native American art (Dakota artwork in particular).
Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute / Digital Art Instructor
JUNE 2017, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Introducing different techniques in art technology to Native high school students.
Nawayee Center School / Visiting Artist
APRIL 2017 – MAY 2017, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Working with the middle/high school students to lead a community art project at the Mde Maka Ska festival.
All My Relations Arts / Gallery Attendant and Designer
FEBRUARY 2016 – FEBRUARY 2017, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Maintaining gallery, assisting the curator in setting up exhibitions and gallery events, updating social media and designing promotional material.
Mni Hdathanin: Rain-activated Indigenous Art / Director
AUGUST 2016 – PRESENT, TWIN CITIES, MN
Creating sidewalk art using stencils and original Indigenous art to bring awareness to Indigenous relationships with water/nature.
Exhibitions
49 Minutes of Fame: An Exhibition of Native Pop Art
November 2021 | National Willa Cather’s Red Cloud Opera House
Red Cloud, NE| November 5, 2021 – December 14, 2021
Animation: Innerworld Prism Premiere
January 2021 | The Great Northern Festival
Minneapolis, MN | January 27, 2021 – January 31, 2021
Solo exhibition: Dynamics of Russian Colonialism in Alaska
January 2021 | Museum of Russian Art
Minneapolis, MN | January 23, 2021 – March 15, 2021
Principles of Posterity (Virtual Duo show)
December 2020 | Hennepin County Gallery
Minneapolis, MN | December, 2020
All That Remains (Duo show)
February 2020 | MacRostie Art Center
Grand Rapids, MN | February 7th – 29th, 2020
FORESIGHT: 20 YEARS OF MITAKUYE OYASIN
December 2019 | All My Relations gallery
Minneapolis, MN | December 3, 2019 – February 2, 2020
Haŋyétu Wówapi Thípi (The Night Library)
June 2019 | Franklin Library
Minneapolis, MN | June 14th – 15th, 2019
51st Annual Red Cloud Art Show
June 2019 | The Heritage Center
Pine Ridge, SD | June 2nd- August 11th, 2019.
Art Lives Here
June 2019 | Saint Paul Downtown Alliance
Saint Paul, MN | June – August 2019.
Rosedale Art Hunt – Animation
April 2019 | Rosedale Center
Roseville, MN | April 12th – 20th, 2019
The Horse Nation of the Ochethi Sakowin
June 2018 | Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Art, All My Relations Gallery, Two Rivers Gallery.
Minneapolis, MN | June 9th, 2018 – February 3rd, 2019
Aŋpétu Wí (Arts of the Americas gallery)
July 2017 | Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis, MN | June 9th – December 2018.
50th Annual Red Cloud Art Show
June 2018 | The Heritage Center
Pine Ridge, SD | June 3rd – August 12, 2018.
Buffalo Nation: Creating Community
June 2018 | Northern Spark Festival
Minneapolis, MN | June 15-16, 2018.
Indigenous Now
April 2018 | John H. Salter Gallery.
University of Wisconsin – Barron County | April 2 – May 4, 2018.
Artists in the Kitchen exhibition
March 2018 | Textile Center – A National Center for Fiber Art
Minneapolis, MN | March 21 – May 19, 2018.
The Horse Nation of the Ochethi Sakowin
January 2018 | Plains Arts Museum
Fargo, ND | January 25th, 2018 – May 14th, 2018.
Aazhoomon
December 2017 | Miikanan Gallery / Watermark Art Center
Bemidji, MN | December 2017 – January 27th, 2018.
The Horse Nation of the Ochethi Sakowin
September 2017 | Museum of Nebraska Art
Kearney, NE | September 5th, 2017 – January 8th, 2018.
Indigenous
September 2017 | Freeborn County Arts Initiative
Albert Lea, MN | September 14th – October 29th, 2017.
We the People
August 2017 | Minnesota Museum of American Art
St. Paul, MN | August 17th – October 29th, 2017.
Water is Life
June 2017 | Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Minneapolis, MN | June 9th – August 31st, 2017.
For Directions
May 2017 | Two Rivers Gallery
Minneapolis, MN | May 19th – July 31st, 2017.
Design Impact Series: Print Show
May 2017 | AIGA Minnesota / St. Paul Neighborhood Network
St. Paul, MN | May 20th, 2017.
The Horse Nation of the Ochethi Sakowin
April 2017 | South Dakota Art Museum
Brookings, SD | April – August 2017.
The Horse Nation of the Ochethi Sakowin
December 2016 | The Dahl Art Center
Rapid City, SD | 12.16.16 – 03.24.17
Animal Nations, Four Directions
December 2016 | 924 Hennepin Avenue (A.R.T Gallery)
Minneapolis, MN | 12.08.16 – 03.30.17
Skins Exhibition
October 2016 | Intermedia Arts Minneapolis, MN
Horse Nation Exhibition
September 2016 | Red Cloud Heritage Center
Where Purple Reigns: Minnesota Artists on Prince
June 2016 | UROC Gallery
Minneapolis, MN | June – July, 2016
aNIMAL sPIRITS
February 2016 | Sioux Indian Museum, Journey Museum
Rapid City, SD | February 5 – April 22, 2016
On Fertile Ground
September 2015 | All My Relations gallery
Minneapolis, MN | September 11-November 20, 2015
Giona Sezoha G’dakinna: We Paint Our Land
July 2014 | Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum
Warner, NH