Indigenous Appalachia
an exhibit of art, culture, & history
The Appalacian Mountains formed over 480 million years ago, before
Staurn had rings and dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Approximately 16,000
years ago, Native tribes such as the Cherokee, Powhatan, and Shawnee
formed and lived in the mountain range.
Throughout Appalachian history, art has continued to change and evolove,
and many historians, universities, and groups are striving to document
and preserve the arts of the indigenous communities, such as beadwork,
painting, storytelling, and weaving.
From now until June 2025, West Virginia University is hosting a wide
variety of past and current Indigenous Artists in partnership with WVU's
Native American Studies and WVU's Humanities' Center. The
Indigenous Appalachia exhibit seeks to teach students,
locals, and visitors of the rich and diverse history of the Indigenous
tribes of North America while preserving and protecting art and cultures
created in the Appalachian Mountains.