First Friday also means the opening reception of a new exhibit in the Regitz Gallery: “Icons of the Diné” by Native artist Jonathan Nelson.

The Diné people are one of 562 distinct, federally recognized Native American tribes. In this exhibit, Nelson brings to life six roles historically and currently held by tribal members. With his background in illustration and graphic design, Nelson creates these icons, along with unique stylized logos, as a way of countering sport mascot caricatures of Native Americans. Nelson wants to make Indigenous identities better known and seen, to spark conversation, and to remind people of who the Diné are and that they are still here influencing the world.