About the Artist: Shavaun Martin
Born in the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota, I am an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, an artist, mother, and nature enthusiast now living in Minnesota. I’m engaged to my partner, a talented Indigenous artist, and together we share a deep passion for creativity, culture, and building a life filled with love, expression, and connection.
Welcome to Elk Feather Art Gallery
For many years, the idea for this gallery lived quietly in my heart. Watching it finally come to life has been both a journey and a dream realized.
My love for art began as far back as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is of kindergarten at Horace Mann Elementary in Rapid City, the smell of tempera paint, the oversized flannel shirt that was my “official” painting smock, and the joy of seeing colors come to life on paper. Even as a child, I felt at home in creativity.
Growing up, I was surrounded by Native artists; painters, beadworkers, and jewelry makers. Painting fascinated me, even before I had the confidence to believe I could do it. When relatives noticed my interest, they shared tips and techniques, and I was eager to learn more.
By age 12, I was spending what little money I earned babysitting, and any extra my mom could give me at Tandy Leather in downtown Rapid City, buying craft supplies. I became skilled at making dreamcatcher earrings, which were very popular in the early 1990s. I even sold some of my work to a few local galleries, using that income to buy more materials and continue creating.
During a few summers, I attended a Lakota cultural camp in the Black Hills, where I learned about ceremonies, art, and traditions. That was where I attended my first sweat lodge and began to understand the deeper spiritual connection between art and identity. The encouragement I received from artists and community members helped me as a young artist to build confidence in my artistic curiosity.
Finding My Way
When I was 13, my mother died from a rare cancer, and I moved to Minnesota to live with my aunt and uncle. Losing my mother and being separated from my little brother was incredibly difficult. But art remained a comfort and a constant companion.
My aunt became my teacher. She showed me how to bead, paint, sew, embroider, and crochet. Those creative lessons were also lessons in resiliency and self-reflection.
As I grew older, art continued to weave its way through my life. I took college art classes, deepened my drawing skills, and learned to share my work with others through critiques and collaboration. Even when life got busy, art was never far away.
When I became a mother, I naturally encouraged my children to express themselves through creativity. Beadwork, in particular, called to me, though at first, I didn’t have anyone to teach me directly. After being dismissed or overlooked when trying to purchase beadwork from other artists, I decided to teach myself. That was six years ago, and I’m still learning every day.
My fiancé, who is also an artist, has been one of my greatest teachers and supporters. And today, I continue to learn from the many incredible Indigenous artists who share their knowledge online, keeping traditions alive in a modern world.
The Heart Behind Elk Feather Art Gallery
My journey as an artist has always been guided by curiosity, respect, and connection. Elk Feather Art Gallery was born from a desire to create a space where authentic Indigenous art can shine, a place free from negativity or scarcity thinking.
Here, creativity thrives in an atmosphere of support, generosity, and good energy, where artists and admirers alike can celebrate culture without competition or comparison.
During the pandemic, when people turned to the internet for connection and expression, I noticed troubling trends, imitation beadwork being sold as “Native-made,” and online hostility among artists over designs that have existed for generations or since humans began drawing. I wanted to build something different: a gallery rooted in authenticity, respect, and good spirit.
At Elk Feather Art Gallery, every piece is made by Indigenous artists who create with intention, care, and love. This space celebrates the beauty of our culture, the resilience of our people, and the timeless spirit of Indigenous art.
A Living Connection Between Past and Present
Each piece I create, whether it’s beadwork, jewelry, or mixed media, carries a story. The patterns, colors, and textures are living reflections of my heritage and the world around me.
Beadwork connects generations of Indigenous artists who expressed their love, identity, and spirituality through their hands.
That’s what Elk Feather Art Gallery represents to me: not just an art business, but a living bridge between the past, the present, and what’s yet to come.
Art as Healing and Empowerment
Art has always been my medicine. It helped me through grief, gave me purpose when life felt uncertain, and continues to be my way of healing and giving back.
Creating with intention, positive energy, prayer, and love transforms every piece into something more than just an object. It becomes a vessel of spirit and emotion.
I believe that art should uplift, empower, and inspire connection. Whether someone wears a pair of earrings, displays a painting, or takes inspiration from a design, they’re carrying a piece of that spirit forward. I hope that every creation that leaves the gallery carries good energy into the world.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Elk Feather”
The elk is a sacred and powerful animal in Lakota culture, a symbol of strength, endurance, and love. The feather represents honor, spirit, and connection to the Creator.
Together, “Elk Feather” embodies the values I hope this gallery stands for: strength, grace, and a deep connection to both tradition and creativity.
Each collection I release draws from those same values. Whether inspired by the natural world, Lakota teachings, or modern interpretations of cultural beauty.
Elk Feather Art Gallery is both a celebration of identity and a promise of authenticity.
A Vision Moving Forward
This gallery is more than just my work; it’s a space for community. Over time, Elk Feather Art Gallery will grow to feature other Indigenous artists whose work aligns with the same spirit of integrity and respect.
My vision is to create opportunities for artists to share their gifts, stories, and teachings while helping buyers feel confident that their purchase truly supports Native-made art.
I also want this gallery to serve as an educational space, a way for others to learn about Indigenous art forms, materials, symbolism, and cultural importance. By building this bridge between the artist and audience, I hope to nurture understanding and appreciation that goes far beyond aesthetics.
In Gratitude
Thank you for taking the time to visit my gallery and learn about my story. Every person who connects with my art becomes part of its story, part of the continuing thread of creativity and culture that runs through all of us.
I hope the art you find here brings you the same joy, healing, and inspiration it brings me to create it.
— Shavaun Martin
Artist & Founder, Elk Feather Art Gallery
🌿 Continue exploring the Elk Feather Art Journal to discover more stories behind the art — and visit the Galleryto experience the collections they inspire.
Let’s Connect
If you have questions about a piece, are interested in a custom order, or would like to learn more about the artwork featured in the gallery, I’d love to hear from you.
Each piece carries its own story, and I’m always happy to share more about the inspiration, materials, and meaning behind the work.
Please fill out the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
