State of Alabama
11/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2026 10:09
Museum of Alabama to host grand opening of First Peoples of Alabama gallery and Native American art festival Nov. 14
MUSEUM OF ALABAMA TO HOST
GRAND OPENING OF FIRST PEOPLES OF ALABAMA
AND NATIVE AMERICAN ART FESTIVAL NOV. 14
Montgomery, AL (11/03/2026) - On Saturday, November 14, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Museum of Alabama at the Department of Archives & History will host a grand opening of its new First Peoples of Alabama gallery and an art festival celebrating the vibrant culture of the Native Americans whose homelands are in Alabama. The event brings together Native artists and artisans, many of whose commissioned works appear in the new gallery. Visitors of all ages are invited to tour the new exhibit, meet the artists, watch demonstrations, and learn about Native American history and culture.
The new First Peoples of Alabama exhibit will explore the history and culture of Native peoples whose ancestors lived in what is now Alabama, with an emphasis on the Mississippian period and the passing of knowledge from generation to generation. Additional areas exploring European contact and cultural resilience will incorporate Native American perspectives in addressing these topics. Planning for the new gallery has involved an advisory group of tribal representatives, scholars, and Archives staff.
Although most Native people were forcibly removed from the Southeast in the early 19th century, their descendants remain connected to the homelands through stories, the arts, and language. Native artists honor their ancestors by making pottery, ornamentation, baskets, and textiles inspired by tribal knowledge, the archaeological record, and their own artistry.
The Alabama Archives & History Foundation commissioned several Native artists to create objects for display alongside archaeological objects in the gallery. Several of these artists will be on site at the grand opening to give talks and demonstrations. Scheduled speakers include:
GRAND OPENING OF FIRST PEOPLES OF ALABAMA
AND NATIVE AMERICAN ART FESTIVAL NOV. 14
Montgomery, AL (11/03/2026) - On Saturday, November 14, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Museum of Alabama at the Department of Archives & History will host a grand opening of its new First Peoples of Alabama gallery and an art festival celebrating the vibrant culture of the Native Americans whose homelands are in Alabama. The event brings together Native artists and artisans, many of whose commissioned works appear in the new gallery. Visitors of all ages are invited to tour the new exhibit, meet the artists, watch demonstrations, and learn about Native American history and culture.
The new First Peoples of Alabama exhibit will explore the history and culture of Native peoples whose ancestors lived in what is now Alabama, with an emphasis on the Mississippian period and the passing of knowledge from generation to generation. Additional areas exploring European contact and cultural resilience will incorporate Native American perspectives in addressing these topics. Planning for the new gallery has involved an advisory group of tribal representatives, scholars, and Archives staff.
Although most Native people were forcibly removed from the Southeast in the early 19th century, their descendants remain connected to the homelands through stories, the arts, and language. Native artists honor their ancestors by making pottery, ornamentation, baskets, and textiles inspired by tribal knowledge, the archaeological record, and their own artistry.
The Alabama Archives & History Foundation commissioned several Native artists to create objects for display alongside archaeological objects in the gallery. Several of these artists will be on site at the grand opening to give talks and demonstrations. Scheduled speakers include:
- 10:00 am - Muscogee painter Johnnie Diacon and Choctaw painter Ulan Moore
- 11:15 am - Choctaw basket maker Eveline Steele and Chickasaw basket maker Sue Fish
- 12:00 pm - Seminole textile artist Jake Tiger
- 1:00 pm - Muscogee copper artist Amanda Rutland
- 1:45 pm - Choctaw shell artist Mike Rose
- 2:30 pm - Poarch flute and bow maker William Bailey
First Peoples of Alabama is the final component in a major capital project to update and enhance the offerings of the state history museum for visitors of all ages. The project began in 2022, and renovations have included a new Children's Gallery, a new Alabama Military Stories gallery, and updates to the Alabama Voices gallery. The first renovated spaces opened in November 2025. Regular hours for the Museum of Alabama are Monday through Saturday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Admission is FREE. To learn more, visit www.archives.alabama.gov.
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