CONVERSATIONS

Conversations: Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship, 2015, the ninth iteration of the Eiteljorg Museum’s acclaimed biennial art series, documents the strength, drama, determination, and storytelling genius of contemporary Native art and the artists who create it. Celebrating the work of Invited Artist Mario Martinez (Yaqui Pascua) and Eiteljorg Fellows Luzene Hill (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Brenda Mallory (Cherokee Nation), Da-ka-xeen Mehner (Tlingit/Nisgáa), and Holly Wilson (Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma/Cherokee), Conversations continues the dialogue of contemporary Native American art and artistic expression.

Ashley Holland (Cherokee Nation) is the assistant curator of contemporary art at the Eiteljorg Museum. She received her bachelor of arts in Art History and Religious Studies from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and her master of arts in Museum Studies with a scholarly emphasis on contemporary Native art and exhibition, from Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis and Holland has co-curated the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship since 2007. In addition to the Fellowship, Holland also participates in the curation of the museum’s permanent contemporary art collection and project management of temporary exhibitions and programs. 


Jennifer Complo McNutt is the curator of contemporary art for the Eiteljorg Museum and is instrumental in the development and success of the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship since its inception in 1999. McNutt has curated more than forty exhibitions and contributed to numerous publications over her twenty-four year tenure at the Eiteljorg. She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a master of fine arts degree from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, in Philadelphia. McNutt serves the arts community nationally and regionally as a selector, contributor, presenter, and advocate for Native contemporary art.