NACDI announces new All My Relations Gallery Director

August 17, 2016

NACDI announces new All My Relations Gallery Director:

The President and CEO, Robert Lilligren, of the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) announces the appointment of Rory Erler Wakemup as new Director for All My Relations Gallery.  Wakemup brings to the organization 20 years of experience in contemporary Native arts as a student, artist, and curator.

As the Youth Activities Coordinator for the Golden Eagle Program at the Minneapolis American Indian Center,  Rory introduced local youth to art activities and a wild rice camp at the White Earth Reservation.  Wakemup, who received his MFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2015, cofounded a successful visual arts gallery in Santa Fe, NM. Rory brings an impressive artistic and gallery background to the All My Relations Arts program.

“I am excited and humbled by the NACDI team’s invitation to serve as the Director of All My Relations Arts.  As both a Native artist a committed community member I am thrilled to begin a role that allows me to work closely with the American Indian community in Minneapolis – one that I consider to be my home and people,” says Wakemup.

Interim Gallery Director and current NACDI board member, Heid Erdrich, also expressed her excitement at the latest addition to the team. “Rory’s record of working within and for Native community and his rich background in the contemporary Native arts scene in Santa Fe and across Indian Country are vital assets to All My Relations Arts, “says Erdrich, “Rory is well-recognized in the local community as well and will be welcomed in his new role.”

NACDI Board of Directors Chair, architect Sam Olbekson adds, “We are confident that his vision will help take our arts program to its next level and that our exhibitions will be bold and broad reaching under his leadership.”

Wakemup started his work as AMRA Director on Monday, August 15, 2016.

Contact: Taylor Rose Payer, 612-235-4968, tpayer@nacdi.org