Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art | Orlando, FL

July 27, 2018–September 30, 2026

Epcot World Showcase American Heritage Gallery, Orlando, Florida

Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art features more than 30 contemporary and historic pieces that highlight how artists continually innovate while drawing on past traditions and techniques. Developed with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this visually stunning show is Epcot’s first-ever exhibition featuring the history and culture of Native America. The gallery holds seven large cases that reflect geographic regions of the United States, while a diverse selection of Indigenous music plays throughout the space, and interactive touch-screen stations offer personal reflections from three contemporary artists.

Fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) used the patterns on a jar (lower right), made in the 1900s by an Acoma Pueblo potter, as inspiration for this dress, titled Ancient Resonance. Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) and ACONAV, Ancient Resonance dress, 2018. Acoma Pueblo, NM. Duchess silk, silk organza, habotai silk lining, leather, copper, cotton buckram. Acoma Pueblo jar, ca. 1900. New Mexico. Clay, crushed potsherd temper, slip, mineral paint, carbon paint. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. 12055/12. Photo by David Roark. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

Fashion designer Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) used the patterns on a jar (lower right), made in the 1900s by an Acoma Pueblo potter, as inspiration for this dress, titled Ancient Resonance.

Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) and ACONAV, Ancient Resonance dress, 2018. Acoma Pueblo, NM. Duchess silk, silk organza, habotai silk lining, leather, copper, cotton buckram.

Acoma Pueblo jar, ca. 1900. New Mexico. Clay, crushed potsherd temper, slip, mineral paint, carbon paint. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. 12055/12

Photo by David Roark. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.
The exhibition features items on loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the Potawatomi Tribe, Richard Hammel, and the Wheelwright Museum. Photo by David Roark. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

The exhibition features items on loan from the National Museum of the American Indian, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the Potawatomi Tribe, Richard Hammel, and the Wheelwright Museum. Photo by David Roark. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Resort visitors are delighted by the intricate, handmade dolls by the Growing Thunder Fogarty family. Photo by Kent Phillips. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World Resort visitors are delighted by the intricate, handmade dolls by the Growing Thunder Fogarty family. Photo by Kent Phillips. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Resort guests listen to interactive videos, which offer reflections from contemporary American Indian artists on their work and culture. Photo by Kent Phillips. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World Resort guests listen to interactive videos, which offer reflections from contemporary American Indian artists on their work and culture. Photo by Kent Phillips. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World Resort guests listen to interactive videos, which offer reflections from contemporary American Indian artists on their work and culture. Photo by Kent Phillips. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

Douglas Miles Sr. (San Carlos Apache/Akimel O'odham), Apache Classic skateboard, 2018. San Carlos, AZ. Seven-ply maple wood, acrylic paint.

Franck Boistel, Douglas Miles Sr. (San Carlos Apache/Akimel O'odham), and Douglas Miles Jr. (San Carlos Apache/Akimel O'odham), IPATH X APACHE shoes, 2008. San Carlos, AZ. Action leather suede upper, cup sole.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.
Photo by David Roark. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

Photo by David Roark. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.
Tlingit Chilkat blanket, ca. 1890. Alaska. Wool, cedar bark, dye. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. 26160/12. Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Raven and the Box of Daylight, 2017. Seattle, WA. Glass. Courtesy of the artist. Haida bracelet, ca. 1920. Northwest Coast. Silver. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. 10450/12. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.

Tlingit Chilkat blanket, ca. 1890. Alaska. Wool, cedar bark, dye. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. 26160/12. Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Raven and the Box of Daylight, 2017. Seattle, WA. Glass. Courtesy of the artist.

Haida bracelet, ca. 1920. Northwest Coast. Silver. Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. 10450/12. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World.