Brooke Waldron
Brooke’s work has been consistent with expressing identity, nature and her bold use of color. Her creative style often explores traditional and contemporary techniques in both her 2D and 3D work. Brooke is always challenging systems of exclusion where Native American artistic expression is often contrived into a one-dimensional space.
In her professional life she works with urban Native social services in career development and economic opportunity. Brooke is also an equine riding instructor and trainer which has inspired her sincere love for animals and horses since childhood. She has an associates degree in Fine Arts with a focus in ceramics and a certification in graphic arts from Bridgewater State University.
She is the recipient of various arts & culture grants, invitational exhibits and special recognitions for her continued work in community based projects. She presented her first solo exhibition in November 2023.
She continues to cultivate her love for the arts and exhibits regularly in galleries.
Artist Statement:
"I love the natural world around me and my creative process is anchored to it. I pull my inspiration largely from nature and my relationship with self. As a mixed Native women, I confront duality with creative inspiration. I want my work to focus on exploring the relationship between color, nature, and a range of traditional symbolism.
I am speaking to a wider dialogue on the preservation and celebration of cultural values with a contemporary style.
In the coming years, I hope to open a working community studio and gallery space that will elevate Native contemporary art. I am always working toward that vision, seeking support and networks that are moving in the same direction I am going.
I believe people need to spend more time reconnecting with dirt.
With that perspective, we can learn to value everything.”
(Seaconke Wampanoag/Narragansett)
Affiliations
HopArts Board of Directors
South County Art Association Artist Member
Warwick Center for the Arts Artist Member
Women Artist Network Artist Member
Past Exhibits, Collaboratios, and Artist Curriculum Vitae
⦻Gallery Exhibitions
May-June 2024 University of Connecticut Avery Point AVS Gallery
Elective Affinities, Follow Coyote 40"x32"
March-April 2024. "Colors of Spring"Spring Bull Gallery Newport RI
Cornplanter 24x24
January-February 2024. “Love, Fidelity or Lack Thereof” The Granite Theatre
She-Bear 32”x32” and Through the Storm 20”x20”
November 2nd-26th 2023. "Those That Guide Us" Brooke Waldron Solo Exhibition and Artist Talk.
The Gamm Theatre, Warwick RI
August 11th 2023- 2024- Kunâhneepamuhshâtunônak “Our Moons” Invitational Group Exhibit
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center- "Red Fox Under the Blueberry Moon" and
"Woodpecker finds Cranberries" (painted stoneware) on museum loan.
June 22-July 15 2023 Helme House Gallery South County Art Association Juried Show 'Go Figure'
'Neechie' 36x44
June 2023 Warwick Center for the Arts, Group Invitational Show "The Girls"
First place award for "She Bear' 32x32
February 2023 South County Art Association- Juried Paint, Print & Drawing Exhibit
"Hoop Dancer" 36x20
October 2022 Resilience II; Juried Native American Group Artist Exhibit-
Turtle Island 36”x36”
The Rhode Island State House, Providence RI
June 2022 South County Art Association- All Media Juried Exhibition Diaspora
"An Alter of Stars" 24x24 Mixed Media
Second acceptance of Certificate of Special Recognition Governor's Citation presented to Brooke Waldron from Governor Daniel J. McKee
May 2022 Intertribal Creatives Gallery Opening and Artist Talk; invited speaker and artist during opening reception “Land Back’ 20”x30”
September 2021 Warwick Center for the Arts- Resilience; Juried Native American Artist Exhibit
Three pieces accepted: ‘Michabo’ 24x24 Acrylic on Canvas, ‘Trickster’s Vision’ 20x24’ Acrylic on Canvas,
‘An Alter of Stars’ 24x24 Mixed Media
August 2021 First acceptance of Certificate of Special Recognition Governor's Citation presented to Brooke Waldron from Governor Daniel J. McKee; In recognition of the Atrium Gallery Traveling Exhibit Program and acknowledgment and support of Resilience Native American Exhibit
September 2019 . The Hera Gallery In God We Trust: Reflection on Religion in America Exhibition
'An Alter of Stars' 24x24 selected by juror Nezka Pfeifer
⦻Collaborations
January/February 2024 Ceramic Community Workshop hosted at GrayHorseStudio, in partnership with Mystic CT based ceramic artist Megan Riley
November 2022 Tania Willard (Secwepemc Nation) "Sovereign-Tea Service" Forge Project, New York
Exhibit description here; written by Tania Willard.
⦻Grant Awards
July 2022 RISCA Make Art Grant Recipient- Four Legged Relatives
Project Summary accepted and funded
October 2021 DreamStarter Creative Award Grantee. Running Strong for American Indian Youth
Traditional Creation, the Preservation of the Future: A Historical Design of Contemporary Woodland Native Pottery
⦻Special Selections
National Foundation for the Arts (NEA) Visual Arts Panelist
December 2023 Eastern MidWestern Indian and Native American Regional Conference
‘Founding Native Futures’ theme and artwork awarded for publication, Washington DC
March 2020. National Council of Urban Indian Health
'Resilient' selected and awarded for publication, Washington DC
February 2020. National Indian and Native American Training Conference
'Together one Voice' selected and awarded for publication, Providence RI
October 2019 Eastern MidWestern Indian Native American Regional Conference
‘ Light Tomorrow with Today’ selected and awarded for publication, Orlando FL
November 2018 Eastern MidWestern Indian Native American Regional Conference
‘Ride the Wave’ selected and awarded for publication, Myrtle Beach SC
⦻ Press & Media Publications
Those That Guide Us Solo Exhibition
Front page story Westerly Sun , 2023
Kunâhneepamuhshâtunônak “Our Moons” Gallery Exhibit
MPTN Exhibit and Connecticut Magazine Press Release , 2023
Running Strong for American Indian Youth
Dreamstarter Creative Highlighted Artist, 2021
Hera Gallery
Meet the Artist , 2019
Gray Horse
The namesake of the studio is my gelding, Shoshone. We have spent our life together and although he is enjoying retirement now, Shoshone holds a very special place in my heart.
Animals truly center us and are the most meaningful teachers and mentors. A subject and inspiration in much of my art, Shoshone is the gray horse that my family and I all adore.
