Mary Deleary, a distinguished alumna, will lead the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts starting October 19.
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has announced the appointment of Mary Deleary as the new director of its Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. Deleary, a member of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, will officially assume her leadership role on October 19. This significant appointment marks a new chapter for the institution dedicated to showcasing and preserving contemporary Native art.
Deleary is currently at the helm of the university's Research Center for Contemporary Native Arts, bringing a wealth of experience to her new position. She is an alumna of IAIA, having earned a BFA in Museum Studies in 2010. Furthering her academic pursuits, she later achieved a PhD in Native American Art History from the University of Oklahoma, solidifying her scholarly foundation.
Her expertise spans Anishinaabe leadership practices, Indigenous research methodologies, and the critical areas of archives and collection development. Notably, Deleary's connection to the museum runs deep, as she previously served as a student intern there many years ago. This early experience profoundly shaped her understanding of the vital role museums play in supporting Indigenous artists, students, and their communities.
In other significant arts news, Kinosaito in Verplanck, New York, has revealed the participants for its month-long fall 2026 residency program. Tsuyu Bridwell and Natsuki Takauji have been selected for this initiative, which is conducted in partnership with the Art Students League. This program offers a dedicated space for artists to develop new work and engage with their practices.
Tsuyu Bridwell's artistic practice draws inspiration from her Korean and Japanese heritage, exploring ancestral beliefs through traditional craft, sculpture, and nature-inspired installations. Natsuki Takauji creates diverse works, ranging from metal sculpture and multimedia pieces to public art. Her creations frequently engage with profound motifs such as memory, sexuality, and trauma, offering compelling narratives.
