Diné (Navajo) pianist and composer Connor Chee is known for combining his classical piano training with his Native American heritage. Chee made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 12 after winning a gold medal in the World Piano Competition. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, Chee’s compositions are inspired by traditional Navajo chants and elements of Diné culture.

As a complement to our new exhibition, Shaped by the Loom: Weaving Worlds in the American Southwest, we have created a digital project that invites you to explore the world of Navajo weaving. Highlighting Diné history, culture, and cosmology, as well as the localized and land-based knowledge systems that guide the making process, this dynamic online experience presents weaving as an art form, a cultural practice, and a lived experience. Join curator Hadley Jensen and the Director of Digital Humanities/Exhibitions at Bard Graduate Center Jesse Merandy for a virtual walk through of this collaborative multimedia project. Learn more about its background, development, and design, as well as the many interactive features that immerse users in the work of Diné weavers and visual artists.

In Native North American artistic traditions, what is a replica? What constitutes a copy? In contrast with the larger field of art history, there is almost no literature on forgeries and replicas in this sub-field. Join us for Janet Catherine Berlo’s lecture, adapted from the introduction to her forthcoming book, Not Native American Art. Berlo considers notions of replicas, copies, tributes, forgeries, pastiches, and even digital surrogates as they apply to archaeological, historical, and contemporary Native arts of North America.

There’s so much to look forward to at Bard Graduate Center when you’re a member! Members enjoy free admission, receive invitations to member events, priority reservations for public programs, and discounts on gifts, books, and select programs. Please see BGC Membership for a complete list of benefits. We look forward to welcoming you to our exhibitions and programs! Thank you.