Little Eagle Arts Foundation - LEAF

08/19/2026

Several LEAF roster artists are featured in a variety of public art installations on exhibit in the Teejop (Madison) History Project. As LEAF Director and one of the artists our own Melanie Tallmadge Sainz was selected for this project and she was honored to be asked to speak on the recent City Cast Madison podcast. Melanie had such a great time with Jade and Hayley. We hope you can visit the sites around the Teejop area. We've listed the website in the comments. You can listen to the interview by clicking on this link: https://madison.citycast.fm/podcasts/indigenous-art-across-madison-wonder-bars-future-and-your-hot-takes

08/14/2026

Our Executive Director Melanie Tallmadge Sainz was invited to join Mike Mossman, President of the Badger History Group to speak about the history and beauty of Maa Wákąčąk (English translation: Sacred Land). LEAF's Maa Wákąčąk Art Studio can be found here. Listen to the Lee Rayburn Show on WI Public Radio. https://www.wpr.org/news/complicated-legacy-rebirth-sauk-countys-sacred-earth?fbclid=IwY2xjawTr-AlwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7PdJJ1p5cnKj2tVnjZ8wgyEh_YRIjMm-pm2gnFQe5xoNFTPRqhjQDa_lFWzA_aem_VwD8eJwA914c1OLiVL3P-Q

From "Sacred Earth" to "Devil's Lake" and from farmland to a munitions factory, a Ho-Chunk Nation citizen and a Wisconsin historian share the crucial life lessons inherent in the history of the Badger Lands.

08/13/2026

The 104th annual SWAIA Indian Market https://www.swaia.org/ includes two LEAF roster artists this year. If you're attending market in Santa Fe, NM this year be sure to visit Dawn Dark Mountain near the Plaza at Booth LIN W 722, and Sayokla Kindness at Booth FR S 322. Congratulations to our artists from the Great Lakes area and best wishes for a great Market weekend!!!

Santa Fe Indian Market — Discover Over 1000 Artists Representing More Than 1000 Native Artists from 200 different Tribal Nations.

08/12/2026

LEAF participated in a community tour including friends from the Ho-Chunk Nation, Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, UW Madison Arboretum, International Crane Foundation, Aldo Leopold Foundation, Wormfarm Institute, and more. We’re so blessed to open our Maawakacak Art Studio to our supporters, allies, new friends, and visitors.

08/08/2026

In July we partnered with ICF to host our youth camp. We’re looking forward to next year!

08/07/2026

LEAF Roster and Native Artists: ArtLit Lab in Madison has vendor spots available. Deadline to apply is 8/15!

📣FINAL CALL 📣

Artist applications due August 15th, 2026 by midnight!

We welcome all native artists at any stage of their career to apply. Paige Skenandore and I developed this market to support artists and their economies. Please share!!

Applications can be submitted via Arts + Literature's link below:

https://artlitlab.org/events/native-art-market-2026

The Market will take place at the Arts + Literature Laboratory on Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm in Madison, WI.

08/07/2026

LEAF Roster and Native artists: Indian Summer Festival, Inc. has spots available for their upcoming event.

Native Art Market Applications now being accepted!

If accepted, you will receive payment information & more logistical details will be provided closer to the event date.

If not accepted, you will also be notified.

Please email us if you have any questions: [email protected]

08/04/2026

On behalf of our Little Eagle Arts Foundation Board of Directors and staff we want to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to our event sponsors First Nations Development Institute and Wisconsin Humanities, our creative partners at Taliesin Preservation, our featured artists, our teaching artists, our presenters, our featured musicians, fellow non-profits, food vendor, and all of our volunteers for another successful Native Art Marketplace 2026! And thank you to the hundreds of event attendees that joined us at Taliesin's Hillside School and Theater for our free weekend event. We especially want to thank Chrissy Shegonee for her role as our Event Coordinator and her amazing attention to detail and relationship with everyone involved. We are committed to cultural preservation through the arts and building bridges through the arts. Now on to planning for next year!

08/02/2026

08/02/2026

Native Art Marketplace at Taliesin in Spring Green. Insightful presentations, beautiful art, and great food! Join us, we’re here until 4pm!