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Updated 3/13/2023

ELIZABETH JAMES-PERRY

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

Native Public Art, Native Plant gardens, and exhibits as Environmental Restoration,  Social Justice and Equity work. Creative Native place-making mapping projects: Bear Map Series. Museum-quality original art, consultation, and wardrobe for theater productions nationwide including Manahatta, Moby Dick, and Rutherford Falls. Research, writing and presentations about climate change and Native Arts, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, the link between Native Sovereignty and Art, Whaling, Sealing, Abolitionists. Wampum Jewelry inspired by my Wampanoag heritage and natural homelands with wild-harvested milkweed fibers, home-grown natural Native plant dyes for bracelets, collars, belts and crowns in substantial purple and white beads from the Atlantic quahog shell. Workshops in sustainable Natural dye, spinning and weaving. Performances with Kingfisher Singers and Dancers.

Commissions accepted.

Find Me

ELIZABETH JAMES-PERRY (She/hers)
Job Title: Traditional Artist, Lecturer
Phone: 508-826-3572
Address:
Dartmouth, MA 02747

Additional Content:

  • Original Wampum Art

    Examples of handmade Native wampum jewelry, wampum adornment used in Native diplomacy and record keeping, handwoven naturally dyed baskets, and sashes for regalia and exhibit

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2007

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2007

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Multi-Disciplinary

Additional Disciplines:

  • Visual/Crafts - Textile Weaving

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
  • Arts and Health
  • Cultural Preservation
  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Design Services
  • Public Art Projects (In Free, Public Spaces)
  • Publishing
  • Writing Services
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Cultural Education
  • Curriculum Development
  • Residency - In School
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
  • Professional Network Gatherings / Events
  • Residency - Community
  • Virtual Events
  • Community Arts
  • Exhibitions
  • Artist Market
  • Art Sales

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Nonprofits
  • Teens
  • Native American Tribes
  • School Groups

Languages Available:

  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • State
  • National
  • International
  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • Multi-State Region

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • IACA
  • Golden Key Honor Society

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • IACA
  • Golden Key Honor Society

Awards

Awards:

  • 2023 NEA Heritage Fellowship, for traditional Wampanoag milkweed weaving, natural dye and wampum art
  • Massachusetts Cultural Council Traditional Artist Fellowship
  • Massachusetts Cultural Council Traditional Arts 2021-2022 Apprenticeship Wampum with Erin Genia
  • 2015 Heard Museum Art Competition Jewelry Div Wampum Choker and Earrings: Bear at the Water
  • 2010 Heard Museum Art Competition Textile Div Twined Soft fiber Bag Thunderbird over Red Earth

Education

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Marine Biology 2001, w/biological illustration,w/ graduate courses: Marine Larvae, Benthic Ecology
  • Cornell University Shoals Marine Labratory seaweeds, invertebrate bio, wetlands resources
  • Melon Foundation Native Artist in Residence Amherst College 2021-2022
  • Internship: Darling Center and Bigelow Laboratory 2002 Deep Sea Red Crab Pop Survey fieldwork and image analyst
  • Rhode Island School of Design: Floral painting, color theory, jewelry, portfolio design, silverpoint, photgraphing artwork, portraiture, 1 & 2 anatomy for artists
  • Traditional arts instruction with late Aquinnah community members Dr. Helen Attaquin, Aquinnah descendant Tony Pollard

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Designated Arts Community:

  • Massachusetts Cultural District Member - Aquinnah Circle Cultural & Historic District

Artist Info

Native American Artist

Tribal Status:

Federally Recognized

Tribe Name:

Aquinnah Wampanoag

Native American Artist

Tribal Status:

Federally Recognized

Tribe Name:

Aquinnah Wampanoag

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • School / University
  • Corporate Business
  • Virtual / Remote
  • Community Site / Center

Ages Served:

  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors
  • Middle School-age
  • Elementary School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Arts Integration - Science / Technology / Engineering
  • Arts Integration - Health
  • Theater
  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Dance
  • Literature
  • Media
  • Visual/Crafts

Certifications and Training:

  • Certificate in Digital Tribal Stewardship (Archive) Washington State University 2016
  • Undergraduate Degree in Marine Science 2001, with some graduate courses, and natural science illustration
  • Portfolio design, and other courses at RISD CE 2001-2005
  • 106 Federal Tribal Consultation Training from ACHP in Washington DC 2009

Fee range:

1500.00 and up for hands-on workshops in Native natural dye and weaving. Lectures/lecture series 1,000.00 and up