Tammy Tallchief
Cayuga Nation
Tammy Tallchief is a bead artist based in Yucaipa, California, whose work is informed by the natural world and her Cayuga Nation background. She is known for her stirring reflections of Earth, Sky, Plants, Animals, and Storytelling.
From the vibrant colors of a wildflower super bloom to the intricate patterns in the bark of Sequoias; in an abstract of a lava flow or a majestic mountain range, she strives to preserve and celebrate the wonders of life through her beadwork.
“As a young girl growing up in rural western New York State, I spent many hours of play in the woods and streams which surrounded my home. Memories of that time and place have inspired me to create and share my work.”
In a career that spans 58 years, Tammy has participated in numerous exhibitions and art markets in the U.S. and Europe; produced fashion shows and special events; curated exhibits; costumed actors, models, and dancers; and mentored learners of all demographics.
Tammy earned a BA from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico; was a National Endowment for the Arts Artist-in-Residence; a recipient of a President Obama Scholarship from the American Indian College Fund; and was admitted to the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
