Native American Art

About the collection

The Mint’s Native American Art collection showcases modern and contemporary works from North and Central America, from the 19th century to today.

Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas have persevered hundreds of years of colonization and persecution since the 16th century. Throughout this time, the arts have been crucial in preserving cultural identity, spirituality, and societal values that sustain human civilization. These works of art showcase the resilience of creativity and reflect both Native American cultures and contemporary influences.

The Grice Collection features four key art forms: Native American and Canadian basketry;, performance masks from Mexico, Guatemala, the United States and Canada; Maya textiles from Guatemala and Chiapas; and contemporary ceramics from the Southwest and other native regions in the U.S.

The Maya textile collection highlights the diverse traditional clothing styles of southern Mexico and Guatemala. The performance masks, predominantly from Mexico, depict the rich variety of dance pageants central to community life. The basket collection includes exceptional early examples, notably from northern California. The ceramics, mainly from New Mexico and Arizona, display distinctive pottery styles.

Generously donated by Gretchen and Nelson Grice, who began collecting in the late 1980s, the Mint Museum’s Native American collection includes works acquired from artists before they achieved widespread recognition. This collection not only showcases a remarkable range of artistic styles but also features early pieces by now-renowned Indigenous artists.