Abenaki Artists - Vermont Abenaki Artists Association

***For a list of artists in alphabetical order Click Here***

Image of gourd with dreamcatcher. — _{Gourd with dreamcatcher and deer antlers made by Jeanne Morningstar Kent}

Traditional arts are listed on the left of the page and contemporary artforms are listed on the right side. They are listed by media.

Artists are organized by media and skill level*.

See definitions of skill levels below.

Click on the artist’s name to view their profiles, images of their art, artist bios, and artist statements.

ARTIST SKILL LEVELS

MCB = Master Culture Bearers have a superior skill level, mentor emerging artists, exhibit their artwork internationally, and have received awards for their artwork or work with and for the community.

M = Master Artists have practiced their craft for at least 10 years are familiar with the history of their art form. They have exhibited their work, offer workshops and lectures.

J = Journey Person have practiced and sold their craft for at least 5 years.

Crafts-person (C) = Craftspeople are can either be self-taught or had some lessons but they are not doing an apprenticeship with a Master Artist. They do not have the technical expertise to be considered for the Journeyman or Master Artist categories.

A = Apprentices are in the process of learning their craft.

TRADITIONAL ART

BARK CANOE MAKER

ASH BASKETMAKERS

BEADWORK

Michael Descoteaux (A)

Melody Mackin (J)

Lori Lambert, PhD, DS (M)

Darryl Peasley (C)

Francine Poitras Jones (A)

Paul René Tamburro, PhD, MSW, MA (J)

COILED BASKETS

Jessee Lawyer (A)

DANCERS

Takara Hansell (M)

FIBER ART

Vera Longtoe Sheeh an (M)

Jessee Lawyer (A)

FINGER WEAVING

Melody Mackin (J)

Linda Longtoe Sheehan (M)

GOURDS

Jeanne Morningstar Kent (MCB)

Norm M’Sadoques (M)

JEWELRY

J ean Burbo (J)

Jessee Lawyer (A)

Linda Longtoe Sheehan (M)

Paul René Tamburro, PhD, MSW, MA (M)

Jim Taylor (M)

LEATHER

Shirly Hook (J)

Darryl Peasley (C)

Francine Poitras Jones (J)

Don Stevens (J)

Jim Taylor (M)

LINGUISTICS/LANGUAGE TEACHER

Jesse Bowman Bruchac (M) – Abenaki Linguist

MUSIC

Jesse Bowman Bruchac (M)

Joseph Bruchac, PhD (M)

Elnu Abenaki Singers

Nulhegan Abenaki Drum

Roger Longtoe Sheehan

Don Stevens

J im Taylor

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Lance Hodgdon (A) Flutes

Michael Descoteaux (A) Drums and Rattles

Shirly Hook (J) Rattles

Brian Chenevert (J) Rattles

REGALIA – Clothing, Sashes and Bags

Jean Burbo (J)

Jim Taylor (M)

June Roberts Wesley (J)

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD (M)

PIPE MAKER

Jessee Lawyer (A)

Roger Longtoe Sheehan (M)

QUILLWORK

Jim Taylor (M)

STORYTELLERS

Jesse Bowman Bruchac (M) – Abenaki Linguist

Joseph Bruchac , PhD

Brian Chenevert

Roger Longtoe Sheehan

Don Stevens (M)

Paul René Tamburro, PhD, MSW, MA (J)

Jim Taylor (M)

TWINED BAGS

Vera Longtoe Sheehan (M)

WAMPUM

Linda Longtoe Sheehan (M)

Norm M’Sadoques (J)

Jim Taylor (M)

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD (M)

WEAVING

Bill Gould (M)

Sherry Gould (M)

Jessee Lawyer (A)

Vera Longtoe Sheehan (M)

WOOD CARVING – Bowls, Dancing Sticks, War Clubs, Snow Snakes and Paddles

Roger Longtoe Sheehan

Norm M’Sadoques (M)

CONTEMPORARY ART

AUTHORS

Jeanne Morningstar Kent

Lori Lambert, PhD, DS

Jon Manitouabe8ich (M)

Trudy Ann Parker

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD (M)

CONSULTANTS

J esse Bowman Bruchac, Abenaki Linguist

Jeanne Morningstar Kent

Roger Longtoe Sheehan

Vera Longtoe Sheehan

Don Stevens

Melody Mackin

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD

CRAFTSPERSON

Lisa Ainsworth Plourde

CULINARY ARTS

Jessee Lawyer (M)

Carol Billings McGranahan (A)

DECORATIVE ARTS

Vicki Blanchard (A)

Lucy Cannon-Neel (A)

FASHION

Jean Burbo (J), Regalia and Jewel ry

Takara Hansell (M), Clothing and Beadwork

J une Roberts Wesley (J), Regalia

FILM

Lori Lambert, PhD, DS (M)

Lina Longtoe (J )

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD (M)

FINE ART

Michael Descoteaux (J) Photograph y

Francine Poitras Jones (J) Painter

Jeanne Morningstar Kent (MCB)

Jessee Lawyer (A)

Lina Long toe (J) Photography

Jon Manitouabe8ich (M) – Painter & Graphic Art

Takara Hansell (J) Painter

Lucy Cannon Neel (A)

Abena Songbird (J) Mural Painter

Diane Stevens (J) Photographer

Amy Hook-Therrien (J) Painter – Watercolors

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD (M)

GUEST SPEAKERS

Melody Mackin

Joseph Bruchac, PhD

Roger Longtoe Sheehan

Vera Longtoe Sheehan

Don Stevens

Trudy Ann Parker

Paul René Tamburro, PhD, MSW, MA

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD

JEWELRY

Jean Burbo (J)

M ichael Descoteaux (A) Beadwork

Shirly Ho ok (J), Jewelry

Francine Poitras Jones (A) Beadwork

T akara Hansell (M), Beadwork

Paul René Tamburro, PhD, MSW, MA (J), Silver & Copper Jewelry

Linda Longtoe Sheehan (M), Wampum Jewelry

LEATHER

Francine Poitras Jones (J)

MODERN MUSIC

Jesse Bowman Bruchac (M), Abenaki Linguist

MURALS

Abena Songbird (J)

PAN INDIAN

Jean Burbo (J), Regalia

Billie Jo Garfield (A), Regalia

Takara Hansell (M), Regalia and Beadwork

Lori Lambert, PhD, DS (M), Regalia and Beadwork

Darryl Peasley (C), Hats

June Roberts Wesley (J), Regalia and Beadwork

PERFORMING ARTS

T akara Hansell, Dancer

SCHOLARS/HISTORIANS

Melody Mackin

Lori Lambert, PhD, DS

Paul René Tamburro, PhD, MSW, MA

Frederick M. Wiseman, PhD

Wood Carving

Patrick Lamphere (J)

Vermont Abenaki Artists Association (VAAA) is a Native American arts organization that serves the public by connecting them to Abenaki educators, artists from the visual and performing arts as well as literary genres.

_{MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to promote awareness of state-recognized Abenaki artists and their art, to provide an organized central place to share creative ideas, and to have a method for the public to find and engage state-recognized Abenaki artists. We do this by presenting public programs, cultural events, and museum exhibitions that educate the public in understanding Abenaki art and culture.}

Since 2013, VAAA has partnered with leading museums, colleges, and cultural organizations across Vermont and the Northeast, including Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, Mt Kearsarge Indian Museum, Institute for American Indian Studies, Middlebury College, and many others.

Connect with us to stay up-to-date and be part of a dialogue that embraces the past, present, and future of Abenaki art.

Quick Links

> Make a donation: https://www.lcmm.org/vaaa-donate/

> Join as an artist: https://abenakiart.org/membership/

> View list of exhibits: https://abenakiart.org/exhibits/

> Contact us: https://abenakiart.org/contact/

Supported in part by Vermont Humanities, The Vermont Arts Council, and NEFA – the New England Foundation for the Arts’ Cultural Sustainability program, made possible by the Wallace Foundation.

Visit Our Artists’ Galleries Online

Step into the captivating world of our artists, where you’ll find a treasure trove of visual narratives that speak to the heart and soul of the Abenaki culture. The stories and artistic expressions of state-recognized Abenaki artists are at the heart of our association. With diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for their heritage, they bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. Browse these virtual galleries, where art defies the constraints of time, and culture resonates through brushstrokes, carvings, weavings, and more. Your visit to our artist pages promises not only inspiration and connection but also a profound appreciation for the enduring artistic spirit of the Abenaki people.

Artists (alphabetical)

In Memory

Art by Medium or Technique