Kelly Church & Cherish Parrish: In Our Words, An Intergenerational Dialogue

Kelly Church & Cherish Parrish: In Our Words, An Intergenerational Dialogue is a major exhibition that centers subjectivities of two contemporary Indigenous artists whose practices have sustained and bolstered the relevance of the age-old Anishinaabe practice of black ash basketry in the 21st century. A powerful mother-daughter duo, Church and Parrish explore themes of Native women’s labor as culture-keepers, the legacy of boarding schools, treaties, and the importance of stories from ancestors who walked on. Just like the practice of weaving and interlacing distinct strips of black ash to create one whole, Church and Parrish will address these diverse and interconnected themes with new and recent work. Together, the exhibition not only offers an incisive critique of the settler-colonial paradigm of erasure and assimilation, but also celebrates the inherited strength, resilience, fortitude, and bravery that empowered Indigenous communities to sustain and bolster their cultures, languages, and art practices for generations.  

Curated by Srimoyee Mitra with Curatorial Assistant Zoi Crampton.

This exhibition and its associated programs are generously funded by Michigan Humanities and U-M Arts Initiative.

Public programs 
September 19, 5:30–6:30pm
Penny Stamps Series: Sustaining Traditions by Kelly Church

Kelly Church is an Ottawa and Pottawatomi artist belonging to the Matchi-be-nash-she-wish tribe in Hopkins, Michigan. During her Stamps Lecture she will discuss how Indigenous teachings have been sustained and passed on for generations, keeping the basket-making art practice alive in the present era and for future generations. This lecture will take place at Michigan Theatre: 603 E. Liberty Street.

September 19, 6:30–8pm
Opening reception and Q&A with the artists

Join us to celebrate the opening of Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish: In Our Words, An Intergenerational Dialogue with the artists. The exhibition opening will be accompanied by a Q&A with the artists following their Stamps Lecture. Refreshments will be served. Artists will be in attendance. 

September 20, 10–11:30am
Weaving workshop led by Kelly Church & Cherish Parrish

Artists Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish will guide participants to create a woven mat out of paper and share weaving techniques and stories about basket gatherings that have sustained Indigenous teachings and cultural practices for generations. All materials for the workshop will be provided. Open to all students, faculty, and staff
Spaces limited, registration required. For more information and to register, contact: Haley Babcock-Perkins at hbperk [​at​] umich.edu.

September 28, 2–3pm
Exhibition tour of Kelly Church & Cherish Parrish: An Intergenerational Dialogue

Join us for an engaging and insightful student-led tour of the survey exhibition of 5th & 6th generational basketweavers and nationally recognized artists Kelly Church (BFA 1998) and Cherish Parrish (BA 2020) - Kelly Church & Cherish Parrish: An Intergenerational Dialogue.

October 5, 2–4pm
American Indian Boarding Schools—the Michigan Anishinaabe Experience

American Indian boarding schools hit the Great Lakes Anishinaabe very hard. This panel brings together survivors willing to share their experiences, helping us to never forget. Facilitated by Matthew Fletcher, Harry Burns Hutchins Collegiate Professor of Law, U-M and Wenona Seigal, Director Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Michigan State University.

October 8, 5–7pm
Freaky Fibers & Crochet Spider Webs Workshop Learn basic crochet techniques in this workshop led by artist Leah Crosby and enter the Halloween spirit from a feminist & queer lens. To register click here.

November 1–2
Gender Euphoria CAMPOUT

A semester-long explosion of queer artists—performances, community conversations, presentations, and art making.
Conceived  by Holly Hughes and organized with Leah Crosby.

November 1, 11am–3:30pm
Long table discussions 
Join a group of queer artsits, art makers, scholars, and community members for two separate windows of conversations—n the themes Placemaking/Community Building, and Queer Art Making. Attend one or both. This will be followed by a book launch and reception.  

November 2, 5:30pm
Killjoy’s Kastle Unplugged

Artists Allyson Mitchell and Deirdre Logue present a sort of “exploded artist talk” with images, video,  sculptural elements from the larger work live reading and performances, featuring local queer performers. Musical contributions from Iconic Chronic. For more information, visit gendereuphoria2024.com

All programs are free and open to the public. To learn more about Stamps Gallery visit our website.