Schenandoah Arts

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Diane is Faithkeeper for Oneida Nation Wolf Clan of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She was born on the Onondaga traditional territory in Syracuse, NY. She is an Alumni of Syracuse University College of VPA, and graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. She is a sculptor for over 40 years, professional, singer and energy worker.

Her Father was a Chief of the Beaver clan from the Onondaga Nation and her mother a Clan mother of the Wolf Clan of the Oneida Nation. Diane’s duty and traditional responsibility is to share and promote the use of a “Good Mind” which are ancestral principles of peace and the methods of conduct and responsibilities to the natural world.

Diane’s Art work, Intuitive Energy Work and writings are grounded in her culture and teachings which reveal the power of unconditional love. Her parents encouraged all of her siblings to pursue their talents and gifts in the arts. Clifford was a Jazz musician and singer for Duke Ellington and their mother Maisie was an artist, painter, and pianist. Diane is also a back up singer and percussionist for her sister, the internationally renowned Grammy winner, singer/songwriter Joanne Shenandoah. In the early 80’s Diane moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute where she earned a “Certificate of Completion in the Arts”, and then moved to Santa Fe to attend the Institute of American Indian Arts where she earned two degrees in 3-Dimensional Arts” and “Creative Writing”. Diane fell in love with sculpture while working with clay and stone, creating images of her culture. She was further encouraged when her works won numerous awards and were featured in exhibits and galleries throughout the United States.

Diane stayed in Santa Fe for a number of years raising her daughter and first of her four sons. As her career progressed, she began to realize how blessed, in that she could share her culture through her work while further supporting her family. Diane has been honored with receiving two grants from the First Peoples Fund in South Dakota. She then created a series of Lady stick pin/necklaces in honor of woman, called the “Life Giver” series and a line of Jewelry with babies called “Angel Babies which were originally carved from Buffalo bone then cast in Sterling Silver and 18k gold. Sam’s club online carries some of her designs.

She works in several mediums, which includes various woods, Deer and Buffalo bone. Her designs are traditionally inspired through her rich culture which is blended with a contemporary flair. This work includes; Cradle boards, Rattles, furniture and custom work, utilizing local Black Walnut, Oak, shell and various materials. Diane was invited to participate in the Robert Rauschenberg foundation artist-in-residences 5 week program in Captiva florida and is now working in Australian Pine driftwood from Captiva Island. She also worked with Renowned Artist Jane DeDecker of Loveland Colorado to create the 9 ft, Bronze of Laura Cornilus Kellogg who was from the Oneida Nation. Laura worked tirelessly for Indigenous rights. Laura is one of 4 monumental sculptures who are the “Ripples of Change” in Seneca Falls ,N.Y.

FEATURED WORK