First Nations Algonquin-Metis and Anishinaabe heritage with Leah Yellowbird

"Take care of your spirit because you're in a world where spirits get eaten. It's easy to drown in day to day monotony and hate. When I got off the boat at Lucerne, I could tell Holden was a place I didn't have to worry. Part of that is the view. The beauty gives everyone a bit of a serene feeling."Intricate, graceful, thought provoking and prolific – these are all words that have been used to describe the elaborate masterwork of Leah Yellowbird. Originally a traditional bead-worker, she identifies strongly with her First Nations Algonquin-Metis and Anishinaabe heritage. At a young age, Yellowbird learned from her extended family how to follow traditional beading patterns and has been working in this medium her entire life. This knowledge, combined with her creative eye and exploration of color, has spilled over into the realm of painting, and she is now well regarded for her work in all mediums (painting being her most recent).Yellowbird had her first solo exhibition at the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) in 2013 and has since had her work on display at a variety of prominent spaces, including the Macrostie Art Center, Plains Museum of Art, and the Tweed Museum of Art. She was the Grand Rapids artist in residence from 2015 until 2016 there, her studio was open to the public and she created some of her most popular pieces to date.To learn more about Holden Village, visit: http://www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.org. The Holden Village Podcast is accessible through Apple iTunes, Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and most podcast apps. For questions and inquiries, contact [email protected].