Angela Two Stars is a Native American contemporary artist. She is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, a federally recognized tribe in South Dakota. Oyate in Angela’s Dakota language means people. Growing up on an Indian reservation greatly influenced Angela’s identity as a person, and as an artist. Respect and honor are two values that were instilled in Angela from a young age. The importance of family and staying connected with her Native American roots played an important role in how Angela was brought up and influences the work that she creates.
Angela returned to her hometown of Sisseton, SD where she lived from 2013-2015. This move allowed her to explore her culture and language in depth. Returning to her roots provided Angela with the opportunity to connect with treasured elder speakers of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and has influenced her current work of incorporating the Dakota Language into her artwork as a way to bring awareness to the importance of preserving Native American languages.
Angela attended Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She currently resides in East Lansing, MI. Angela continues to broaden her artistic skills by using and experimenting with a variety of drawing mediums; such as graphite, charcoal, ink, colored pencil, and mixed media. Her work has been exhibited in Grand Rapids and Frankfort, Michigan and in Sisseton, SD. She is the proud mother of three children and counts her husband as her strongest supporter.
EDUCATION
Kendall College of Art and Design - Grand Rapids, MI
BFA - Drawing, Minor - Printmaking - 5/2017
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR - All My Relations Arts - Minneapolis, MN
My responsibilities include: overseeing the direction of All My Relations Arts Gallery and programs. This includes planning and executing the yearly exhibition schedule, curatorial duties, arts administration, manage gallery staff and interns; and contribute to development, marketing, and evaluation of gallery activities and events.
PUBLIC ART ARTIST - City of Minneapolis Public Works Building, Narrative Mural - Minneapolis, MN
Collaborate with project designers to create a narrative mural that reflects the City of Minneapolis Police. This appointment includes community outreach, developing concepts and design work that will be integrated into the new construction of the City of Minneapolis Public Services Building. Present to committess and community groups and work closely with design fabricators for art installation.
PUBLIC ART ARTIST - Forecast Public Art, St. Paul Port Authority - Saint Paul, MN
My responsibilities include acting as lead artist/project manager for a $60,000 public artwork to be installed along at the Midway building in St. Paul. This appointment includes community outreach, developing concepts and design work, overseeing the total budget and subcontracting for fabrications and installation of artwork.
PUBLIC ART ARTIST - Bde Maka Ska Public Art Project - Minneapolis, MN
Collaborate with project designers and staff to create literary and visual elements for a new $150,000 public artwork at Bde Maka Ska/Lake Calhoun. This appointment included developing concept and design work to be integrated at the site. Present to committees and community groups. Develop cost estimates and final budget and working closely with design fabricators for art installation.
EXHIBITIONS
Transference: Native Printmakers of Mni Sota, Group Exhibition - Highpoint Center for Printmaking - Minneapolis, MN - 2019
Language Arts, Solo Exhibition - Nicolett Tower and Interpretive Center - Sisseton, SD - 2019
Language Arts, Solo Exhibition - Sioux Art Museum - Rapids City, SD - 2019
Madwewe: It is Heard, Group Exhibition - Watermark Art Center - Bemdiji, MN - 2018
Vitalize: Engaging the Dakotah Language, Solo Thesis Exhibit - Kendall College of Art and Design - Grand Rapids, MI - 2017
Standing Rock Solid, Group Exhibition - Ziibiwing Center - Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe – Mount Pleasant, MI - 2017
Michigan Emerging Graduate Artists Exhibition, Juried Group Exhibition - Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts - Grand Rapids, MI - 2017
Michigan Collegiate Art Exhibition, Juried Group Exhibition - Lansing Art Gallery - Lansing, MI - 2017
Blank; an exploration in identity, Group exhibition - Fed Gallery - Grand Rapids, MI - 2017
On Fertile Ground, Juried Group Exhibition - All My Relations Gallery - Minneapolis, MN - 2016
East Lansing Art Festival, Juried, Emerging Artist Category - East Lansing, MI - 2016
[in]Visible Spaces, Group Exhibition - Art.Downtown - Grand Rapids Art Museum - Grand Rapids, MI - 2016
Journey to the Source Art Crawl, Featured Artist - O.K. Thollehaug Building - Sisseton, SD - 2014
Alumni Weekend Art Show, Featured Artist - Sisseton, SD - 2012
Regional Native American Art Exhibition, Juried Group Exhibition - Oliver Art Center - Frankfort, MI - 2011
IMPACT, Kendall College of Art and Design - KCAD College - Grand Rapids, MI - 2011
Art.Downtown, Group Exhibition, SiteLab - Grand Rapids, MI - 2011
IMPACT, Kendall College of Art and Design - KCAD - Grand Rapids, MI - 2010