Great Neighborhoods! Development Corporation

Ancient Traders Gallery · 1113 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis · 612-870-7555
Curator: Heid E. Erdrich
Mission Statement of Great Neighborhoods! Development Corporation arts program:
Mitakuye Oyasin/All My Relations, an urban Indian arts program, honors and strengthens relationships between contemporary American Indian artists and the living influence of preceding generations, between artists and audiences of all ethnic backgrounds, and between art and the soul of the neighborhood.
Exhibit hours: Wed. - Sat., Noon - 6pm (unless otherwise advertised)
About the Gallery
Ancient Traders Gallery [established in 1999] is located on the first floor of the Ancient Traders Market building at 1113 E. Franklin Avenue. The gallery has three to four shows per year exhibiting American Indian artists from Minnesota or with Minnesota ties.
     Since 1999, GNDC has seen and documented a deep and urgent interest — among both Indians and non-Indians alike — to connect with and reflect on the role that American Indians have played, and continue to play, in our national consciousness and identity. The arts we present at Ancient Traders Gallery promote this dialogue through shows that engage the viewer so they reflect upon and join a cultural conversation. Indeed, we have developed a reputation for presenting quality art exhibits that provoke and unite our diverse audience. GNDC’s Ancient Traders Gallery now stands as a premier Twin Cities art gallery that promotes community connections and fights racial stereotypes through contemporary American Indian art.
     Since 1999, we have connected more than 30,000 people to contemporary American Indian art. Our audience is not only large, it is diverse. Our visitors are from the Phillips neighborhood, from around the Twin Cities metro area, from towns and cities all over Minnesota, from 40 different U.S. states, and from more than 20 countries around the world.
     When there is not a formal show in the gallery, Ancient Traders Gallery often hosts spoken word events and readings.
About the Curator
Ancient Traders Gallery curator Heid Erdrich has been with the Gallery since 2007. She is author of three poetry collections, an editor in the American Indian Series from Michigan State University, editor of the Fall/Winter 2006 Yellow Medicine Review, a journal of indigenous thought and culture. She also co-edited Sister Nations: Native American Women Writers on Community from the Minnesota Historical Society Press. Her awards include a Minnesota State Arts Board fellowship, a Bush Leadership Fellowship and Mentor of the Year, Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers.
     A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibway, Erdrich was raised in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Her degrees are from Dartmouth College and The Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars. Heid co-founded the annual Turtle Mountain Writers Workshop on her home reservation.
Current Exhibit
Hokah! Ten Years of Art at Ancient Traders Gallery December 11, 2009 - January 30, 2010. Exhibit hours: Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. and by appointment. Artists Panel Q & A on January 23, 6-9 p.m. All My Relations Arts at Ancient traders Gallery marks its Tenth Year Anniversary with a group Self Portrait show in the spirit of inter-tribal Celebration. HOKAH! features more than 40 artist including: Carolyn Anderson, Jim Denomie, Gordon Coons, Tiffany Eggenberg, Carl Gawboy, Kevin Pourier, Mona Smith, Catherine Whipple, Jonathan Thunder and More!

Please Park and Enter near Maria's Cafe At 1113 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis.
Future Exhibits
Past Exhibits
Andrea Carlson — Spring 2009
States Dates and Place: multi artist — Winter 2008-2009
Two Wings: Lisa Fifield and Kurt Rausch — Fall 2008
Gifts — March 7, 2008 to April, 4, 2008
Re:Generations — January 11, 2008 to February 23, 2008
Carl Gawboy: Fifty Years Standing — June 29, 2007 to September 29, 2007
The Power to Dream — May 4, 2007 to June 9, 2007
City Indians — November 10, 2006 to January 27, 2007
Impacted Nations — February 24, 2006 to April 15, 2006
Running Rabbit, Kevin Red Star — November 18, 2005 to January 26, 2006
Hanta Po — All of You Out of My Way — April 29, 2005 to July 9, 2005
Lisa Fifield — November 19, 2004 to January 15, 2005
Restless Native . . . David Bradley — April 29, 2004 to July 10, 2004
Seventh Generation — February 13, 2004 to April 3, 2004
Native Sons, Sam English and Joe GeshickÊ— May 9, 2003 to July 9, 2003
Three Sisters — May 10, 2002 to July 13, 2002
Mailing List
Would you like to be added to our mailing list? Email ancienttradersgallery@greatneighborhoodsdc.com or call 612-870-7555. Include your name and address. Provide your email address if you would like to receive email updates of events.
FAQs
Q: Can I buy Native American arts and crafts at the Gallery?
A: No, Ancient Traders Gallery is dedicated to exhibiting Native American artists through seasonal shows. When there are exhibits, often the artist’s work is on sale. However, there is a Native American arts and crafts store located in the Ancient Traders Market building called “Northland Native Products” which is not affiliated with our gallery.