Anishinaabe Porcupine Quill Art Exhibition Opens at the Harbor Springs History Museum

The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society is proud to announce the opening of Gaawii Eta-Go Aawizinoo Gaawiye Mkakoons / It’s Not Just a Quill Box / Anishinaabe Gaak Gaawiiyikewin Zhichiganan / Anishinabek Porcupine Quill Art, now on display at the Harbor Springs History Museum.

This groundbreaking traveling exhibition celebrates the rich artistic traditions of the Anishinaabe people through the intricate and powerful medium of porcupine quill art. It is the first major traveling exhibition dedicated to Anishinaabe porcupine quillwork and the first to be fully bilingual in Anishinaabemowin and English.

The exhibition features the work of contemporary Anishinaabe artists from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Manitoulin Island, Canada, while honoring the generations of ancestors who preserved and passed down the skills required to master this distinctive art form. Visitors will encounter not only stunning works of art but also videos, images documenting the harvesting of materials, a recreation of an artist’s workstation, and a small area for children’s crafts related to the art form. The exhibit also explores the profound bonds between teachers and students, the essential connection between the art and the natural world, and the challenges of maintaining these traditions in the modern world.

“This exhibit highlights both the enduring traditions and vibrant future of Anishinaabe artistry,” said Beth Wemigwase, Program Coordinator at the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society. “The artistry on display is truly breathtaking, showcasing the skill of these contemporary artists and the legacy their work honors.”

This project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Ziibiwing Center for Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways; the Michigan Traditional Arts Program and MSU Office of University Outreach and Engagement; and the Michigan State University Museum.

Support was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art, National Endowment for the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and The Andrew W. Mellon/Less Commonly Taught Language Grant at Michigan State University. Additional in-kind support came from the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways (Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan), Michigan State University Museum, Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians), Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (Manitoulin Island, Canada), Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network, Michigan Traditional Arts Program/MSU, Michigan State University Native American Institute, and the MSU Office for University Outreach and Engagement.

The exhibition will be on display through October 2025 at the Harbor Springs History Museum, located at 349 E. Main Street in downtown Harbor Springs. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.