Master Beader and exhibiting artist Thomas Stillday was recently awarded the 2022 First People’s Fund Cultural Capital Fellowship.
According to a release from the Watermark Art Center, the fellowships are designed for artists and culture bearers who are committed to passing on ancestral knowledge and cultural practices within their tribal communities.
Stillday’s progression as a beading artist began at age 13 under the instruction of his grandmother.
Stillday is of the Red Lake Nation-Obaashing Community.
While he has developed his own distinct style of work over the past 40 years, his work honors the traditional beading techniques, designs and concepts given to him by his elders.
Beginning March 17 and continuing for 10 weeks, Stillday will lead a drop-in beading circle for all skill levels at the Watermark at no cost.
