Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds:
The Power of Indigenous Language in Contemporary Art
July 17 - December 12, 2025
EVENTS:
Opening Reception: Sunday, July 20, 5-7 pm. Featuring a drum processional by Jeffrey Pegram & welcome by Jeremy Dennis, exhibition
curator
Artist Panel Discussion: Thursday, Sept. 11, date and time to be confirmed. Panelists: Danielle Emerson, additional to be announced, moderated by Jeremy Dennis.
Art Crawl: late Sept or Oct., date and time to be confirmed
Kelp Farmers Presentation in the Recital Hall: October 20, 12:30-2pm
NAHM Celebration Event: week of Nov 3, date and time to be confirmed
HOURS:
July 17-26: Open evenings of the Stony Brook Film Festival
July 17 (opening night, 6-7pm)
July 18 & 19 (open 6-9:30pm)
July 20 (reception: 5-7pm, gallery open 4pm-9:30pm)
July 21-25 (open 6-9:30pm)
July 26 (open 6-7pm)
July 28- August 20: Open by appointment, email Zuccairegallery@stonybrook.edu to schedule.
August 25- December 12: Open Monday-Friday 12-4pm & evenings of Staller Center performances.
Artists: Broken Boxes / Ginger Dunnill, David Bunn Martine, Tecumseh Ceaser, Jeremy Dennis, Demian DinéYazhi', Chiara (Sunshine) Do’wal Sehi, Korina Emmerich, Danielle Emerson, First Literature Project (Wunetu Tarrant), Jeffrey Gibson, Erin Genia, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Jamie John, Brittany Kiertzner, Ella Mahoney, New Red Order, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Heather Rogers, Cara Romero, Denise Silva-Dennis, Anna Tsouhlarakis, GianniVV, Kay WalkingStick, Anangookwe Wolf.
Curated by Jeremy Dennis (Shinnecock Nation)
Weaving Words, Weaving Worlds brings together the powerful connection between Indigenous languages and contemporary art. The group exhibition of over twenty artists highlights the significance of language revitalization and preservation through the creative expressions of national and regional Indigenous artists. Work in traditional and new media explores how art can become a vessel for cultural continuity, storytelling, and the reclamation of Indigenous tongues.
The exhibition is guest-curated by SBU alumnus Jeremy Dennis (Shinnecock Nation) in partnership with the Zuccaire Gallery. Artist talks, curator tours, receptions, and events will be scheduled, and there will be an exhibition catalog.
The exhibition aims to bridge the gap between Indigenous languages, particularly Algonquian/Shinnecock, and the broader public, emphasizing their transformative power. By integrating language into visual art, the show will convey the beauty of Indigenous languages and their cultural and spiritual significance.
The exhibition will tackle historical and contemporary contexts, including the loss of language due to colonization and forced assimilation, and the resurgence of efforts to bring these languages back in the 21st century. References to key historical moments, such as the Natick Bible translated into Algonquian, recordings by Thomas Jefferson, and the overlooked meanings of traditional place names on Long Island, will form part of the narrative.