AICHO Galleries

04/03/2025

Don't miss out! This is a FREE music festival!

TOMORROW: Free music festival featuring live music from Keith Secola, Itz Lil Lee, Orville Councillor, Jamie Sky, and Jada Brown. KBFT 89.9 FM is bringing this event to Duluth on April 4th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center, 212 W 2nd Street, Duluth, MN. This event is open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HrNwjANd1/

04/02/2025

Happening this Friday at AICHO. Don't miss out!

Free music festival featuring live music from Keith Secola, Itz Lil Lee, Orville Councillor, Jamie Sky, and Jada Brown. KBFT 89.9 FM is bringing this event to Duluth on April 4th, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center, 212 W 2nd Street, Duluth, MN. This event is open to the public. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HrNwjANd1/

02/13/2025

Grant opportunity for Individual Artists through Arrowhead Regional Arts Council! Apply by March 16, 2025.

Apply TODAY for ARAC's Art Project Grant for Individual Artists
This grant provides funding up to $4,000 to any adult artists, in any arts discipline at any stage of their career.
Deadline: March 16, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
Eligibility:
✨ The applicant must be an individual artists.
✨ The applicant must be a permanent resident (for at least 6 months) in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis counties as well as the Fond du Lac , Grand Portage, Bois Forte, or Leech Lake (within Itasca county) nations.
✨ The applicant must remain a resident of one of the above locations throughout the duration of their project.
✨ The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, or have attained permanent resident alien status.
✨ The applicant must be at least eighteen years of age.
Find the full guidelines and apply at aracouncil.org!

02/13/2025

Happening in St. Paul on Feb. 24

Please Join Us for Our Opening Conversation Theme--
Taking Stock: A Moment to Pause

Our world can feel fast, our responses reactive, our time limited. But what would happen if we paused, gave ourselves space to reflect and consider how we arrived where we are? This critical conversation, organized by Public Art Saint Paul and sponsored by the Minnesota Humanities Center brings together a writer and artist, musician and archivist, and theater director, each concerned with ways of preserving and presenting generational wisdom, stories, teaching, histories. They will discuss the value of pausing at this moment to reflect rather than react.

Join us on Monday February 24th, from 6-8 PM, at the Minnesota Humanities Center, for a panel discussion moderated by Public Artist and Curator Angela Two-Stars, with Indigenous Research Professor Iyekiyapiwiƞ Darlene St. Clair, Musician, Composer and Scholar Davu Seru, and Artistic Director of Pangea World Theater Dipankar Mukherjee as panelists. Snacks and refreshments to be served.

Date: Monday, February 24th
Time: 6-8 PM
Location: Minnesota Humanities Center 987 Ivy Ave E, St Paul, MN 55106
*In the Commons room

02/06/2025

The documentary “Duluth for Mandela: A Northland Celebration” produced and directed by Gerri Williams will be shown at AICHO’s Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center for free on February 8, 2025, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Following the film screening, Williams and Fond du Lac elder Ricky DeFoe will be facilitating conversations on Indigenous resistance around the world and Mandela’s legacy through an Indigenous lens.

Nelson Mandela was a member of the Tembu tribal group of South Africa. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his resistance against the country’s government-sanctioned system of racial segregation. After his release, he became the first president of the new multiracial democracy of South Africa and its first Black head of state in 1994. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he is revered as an Indigenous freedom fighter and statesman.

In 2018, Williams and the Nelson Mandela Centenary Committee organized a series of community events in Duluth to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. “Duluth for Mandela” highlights the Duluth community celebrating Mandela’s life through art, music, dance, and educational programs.

01/31/2025

AICHO's Zaagi'idiwn Tour last Saturday was a lot of fun!
The loved themed market kicked off with James Harvin performing live on stage during the morning session, performing original songs and spoken poetry about love, loss, and grief.
Brian Stillday Jr and sons took it from there, leading the crowd in a round dance before the Potato Round Dance. There were great participants but only first and second place took home prizes!
Laura Hugo took the stage next, performing crowd favorite songs of her, including both original and covers.
This market featured over 20 Indigenous artists and vendors attending, selling handmade love themed gifts ranging from beautiful jewelry, maple sugar treats, original artwork, ribbon skirts and shirts, gorgeous baaga'adowewin sticks & other wood work products and so much more!
We love the fact that this community comes out to support our Indigenous and BIPOC entrepreneurs and artists! It was a fun time visiting with each other and getting ready for this Valentine's Season!
Chii Miigwech to our AICHO staff who worked really hard to put this amazing event together!
Photo credit: Ivy Vainio

12/02/2024

It's December 2 and Onigaaminsing (Duluth) has a new digital billboard featuring White Earth Nation direct descendant Katie Lou Muzquiz artwork. This billboard will be displayed for the whole month on Central Entrance in Duluth, MN.

To learn more about, and support, Katie Lou Muzquiz:
Facebook: Katie Lou Muzquiz
IG: klmfineart
Email: [email protected]

AICHO Galleries has her work on view until Dec. 27 with Chimakwa Nibawii Arts.

Miigwech to McKnight Foundation for funding our digital AICHO Gallery Artists, Authors and Creatives themed billboards which help us promote and uplift Indigenous and BIPOC creatives 24/7 throughout the year.

11/21/2024

Today’s the Day!
It’s Give to the Max Day and we’re calling on our amazing community to help us raise $500,000 for AICHO! By donating today, you’ll help us grow our team, ensure fair wages for our staff, and strengthen the programs that provide housing, domestic violence services, and youth support for Indigenous families.
Together, we can ensure AICHO continues to thrive and make an impact for generations to come.

Please consider donating today!
DONATE HERE: https://www.givemn.org/story/Futureaicho

11/20/2024

Refuge for Individuals in Crisis:

At AICHO’s Dabinoo'igan Shelter, we provide safety, support, and hope to individuals fleeing domestic violence. Women have found refuge and healing at Dabinoo'igan, gaining the strength to rebuild their lives.

This Give to the Max Day, we’re raising funds to expand our capacity and help even more women find safety and support. Your donation on November 21st will ensure AICHO continues to be a lifeline for those in need.

Help us provide a safe haven for more women by donating today!
DONATE HERE: https://www.givemn.org/story/Futureaicho

11/15/2024

Create your own beaded hat as taught by regionally renowned Anishinaabe artist Adrienne Benjamin.

Workshop dates are
November 18th, 2024 5-7 PM
November 20th, 2024 5-7 PM
Supplies are provided
Attendance for both days is required.

Make your own beaded hat!

11/10/2024

Yesterday, AICHO hosted our final Indigenous Writers Series with novelist Dennis Staples (Red Lake Nation tribal member) and comic book writer and illustrator Jesse Switters (Cheyenne River Lakota tribal member).

It was an inspirational and empowering event with a vibrant conversation between writers and moderator Dr. Jill Doerfler, and then with community members during Q and A. Everyone received an Indigenous comic zine from Jesse. Just so you all know, Dennis Staples’ new novel will be coming out in March. 🙌🏽

We loved hosting this 2023-24 series, and several of the community members also told us they loved coming to these events. We want to say miigwech to Jesse and Dennis (and all the featured writers), Jill, AICHO staff Ivy Vainio who organized this series, Ojibwe writers Tom and Betsy Peacock for inspiring us to host this series after their Indigenous Writers Gathering at Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College, local author Linda LeGarde Grover for her guidance given, and last but not least McKnight Foundation for their financial support for Indigenous creatives to be featured and supported in Duluth, MN.

📸 Ivy Vainio