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

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 2019The 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 2018Minneapolis 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 2018The Heritage Center
Pine Ridge, SD | June 3rd – August 12, 2018.

Buffalo Nation: Creating Community

June 2018Northern 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 2018Plains 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 2017Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Minneapolis, MN | June 9th – August 31st, 2017.

For Directions

May 2017Two Rivers Gallery
Minneapolis, MN | May 19th – July 31st, 2017.

Design Impact Series: Print Show

May 2017AIGA Minnesota / St. Paul Neighborhood Network
St. Paul, MN | May 20th, 2017.

The Horse Nation of the Ochethi Sakowin

April 2017South 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

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