MNMP News:
SANTA FE — The Museum of New Mexico Press is honored to announce its publication of Lakota Women’s Arts: Quillwork and Beadwork April 21, 2026, a comprehensive new volume that brings long‑overlooked women’s artistry to the forefront of Lakota cultural history.
The Museum of New Mexico Press, part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, created this publication to expand public understanding of Indigenous art traditions and to increase visibility for Native artists whose work has shaped the cultural landscape of the Great Plains and the nation.
Authored by Dr. Marsha C. Bol and Dr. Thomas Red Owl Haukaas, the 340‑page hardcover book illuminates how generations of Lakota women have used quillwork and beadwork to express identity, uphold community values, and innovate within an evolving artistic tradition. Featuring more than 300 images — many drawn from collections rarely accessible to the public — the book offers New Mexicans and readers everywhere a deeper appreciation for the complexity and resilience of these art forms, which continue to inspire museum visitors, contemporary artists, and cultural practitioners.
“Lakota women’s arts reflect a long continuum of creativity, responsibility, and cultural knowledge,” Dr. Bol, director emerita of the Museum of International Folk Art, said. “By presenting these extraordinary pieces alongside first‑person voices, we hope readers see not only the beauty of the objects but the values and histories they carry.”
Co‑author Dr. Thomas Red Owl Haukaas, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Lakota Tribe, said the book offers an opportunity for cultural reconnection. “Seeing these works gathered together — historic and contemporary — is powerful,” he said. “Lakota artists deserve access to these pieces, because knowing where we come from helps guide where we’re going.”
The publication includes garments, bags, footwear, instrument cases, and other intricately crafted items, all photographed in vivid detail. Such an expansive collection of quillwork and beadwork has not been assembled in a single volume before, making this book an essential resource for artists, historians, educators, and museum visitors.
For New Mexicans, this release strengthens the state’s commitment to supporting Native arts and expanding access to Indigenous cultural knowledge. By showcasing living traditions, the book helps readers understand how these art forms continue to shape identity, creativity, and community well beyond museum walls.
Lakota Women’s Arts: Quillwork and Beadwork will be available through the Museum of New Mexico Press, local bookstores, museum shops, and online retailers.
About Museum of New Mexico Press
Founded in 1952, the Museum of New Mexico Press publishes award‑winning books that illuminate the history, arts, and cultural heritage of New Mexico and the Southwest. Its catalog includes titles on Indigenous arts, Nuevomexicano heritage, photography, archaeology, and regional history, reflecting the rich diversity and creativity of the region.