Aurora Public Art debuts “The Unbroken Thread: Native and Indigenous Art” showcase

The city of Aurora’s Public Art Division has unveiled an exhibit celebrating Native and Indigenous artists, as well as local Aurora artists who draw inspiration from Native heritage.

The Unbroken Thread: Native and Indigenous Art, the city’s fifth exhibit of the year, showcases work from artists such as Sharon Hoogstraten, Robert Wahapi, Annabelle Two Rivers Broeffle, Nora Moore Lloyd, Mark Laroque, Negwes, Nitti Hill, Terry Ross, David Slater, Norma Robertson, Sisseton/Wahpeton Oyote, Tom Mahady, Mark Adams and Kevin Lonergan Jr., according to a city news release.

“The Unbroken Thread is a true labor of love, driven by the draw I’ve had towards native art since I was a teen,” Curator Sangeeta Pande said in the news release. “It is a great honor that our outreach to Native American artists was rewarded with this phenomenal show for our community—a show that allows us to experience the journey and the lives of the Native ancestors.”

The exhibit’s free opening reception, with a poetry recital, Native American musical performance and percussion drum performance, was on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the news release said.

Two additional events are also planned to honor the exhibition’s celebration of Native American Heritage Month, officials said in the news release.

A storytelling session with artist Sharon Hoogstraten along with a Native drum circle ceremony will take place on Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the news release said.

Then, on Nov. 22 between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., elders are set to bless the exhibit, and Maria Desjarlait will be holding a book reading, according to the news release.

Aurora Public Art is located in downtown at 20 E. Downer Place. Hours are from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.