The Albany Institute of History & Art is located on the traditional homelands of the Mohican people. The Albany area is traditionally called Pempotowwuthut-Muhhecanneuw, meaning "the fireplace of the Mohican nation.”
People of the Waters That Are Never Still: A Celebration of Mohican Art and Culture is an exhibition that honors the Muh-he-con-ne-ok people, contemporarily known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians. Through historical and contemporary art, not only are the five senses evoked but also a sense of connection—to place, the Earth, water, animals, relatives, ancestors, stories, traditions, identity, and community.
The contemporary artists in this exhibition reflect upon their heritage through self-discovery, repurposing materials, carrying on traditions, preserving moments and memories, and telling their own narratives through various compositions.
Mohican art is a connection to culture, and their culture is an art in itself.
She Honors the People of the Waters that Art Never Still, by Terri OConnor
This exhibition has been curated by Tamara Aupaumut, a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and independent curator living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She descends from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, the Oneida, and Brothertown Indian Nations.
Support for People of the Waters That Are Never Still: A Celebration of Mohican Art and Culture is provided by the Carl E. Touhey Foundation, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, and Discover Albany. People of the Waters That Are Never Still is supported by Albany County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The project is also supported by a grant awarded to the Albany Institute of History & Art by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY / New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
Thank you to the Albany County ARPA Executive Committee:
Daniel P. McCoy Albany County Executive
Joanne Cunningham Chairwoman, Albany County Legislature
Dennis Feeney Majority Leader, Albany County Legislature
Frank Mauriello Minority Leader, Albany County Legislature
Dr. Carolyn McLaughlin Chair, Albany County Legislative Black Caucus
Susan A. Rizzo Albany County Comptroller
M. David Reilly Commissioner of Management and Budget
We would like to invite all self-identifying Indigenous peoples to access our current exhibitions without charge.
