ABOUT ALIXENA

Alixena Patnaude is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, and lives on the Turtle Mountain Reservation. She has been beading since her youth, having learned how to bead from her older sister and mother. She is interested in learning more art forms, particularly quillwork, and creating pieces that represent her culture and heritage.

Alixena intends to utilize the Ignite Rural Artist Residency to understand her art from a more nuanced perspective, sharpen networking skills, and to grow as an artist. She envisions starting a beading and craft circle in her community, where they encourage passing on their Indigenous arts to family and other community members, cultivating a safe and nurturing environment in which to engage socially.