Nanibah “Nani” Chacon, is a Dine (Navajo) and Chicana artist. Most recognized as a painter and muralist, Nani was born in Gallup, New Mexico and grew up both on the Navajo reservation and New Mexico. In 2003 she received her Bachelor in Education from the University of New Mexico. Using her art to shine a spotlight on Indigenous voices, traditions, and ecology, Nanibah Chacón is bringing her message and talent to Michigan State University as the Fall 2018 Womxn of Color Initiative (WOCI) Artist-in-Residence. During her MSU residency, which runs October 3 through November 3, Chacón will focus her work on stories, relationships, and the feminine and their relevance to the environment and site specificity.

Her most notable works have been within the public arts sector, in which she has a cumulative experience of over 20 years. Nani has created works both Nationally and Internationally. Working with multiple organizations and institutions. The most notable being the National Endowment for the arts, California Endowment for the arts, US Consulate and Embassy in Russia, NM Public Arts Foundation, National Museum of Mexican Art Chicago, Navajo Nation Museum, National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Museum of Native contemporary Art.

Chacón creates public murals and artworks that engage community and the local landscape. Her work, which captures Indigenous traditions and philosophy, provokes thought and discourse surrounding Indigenous culture and feminism. Community-based arts and educational integration are also a key component the work Nani creates. Her work has been recognized for its unique style and attention paid to site specificity, as well as the integration of socio-political issues affecting women and indigenous peoples.Nanibah’s residency is part of a collective and shared vision to make the work of Indigenous and womxn of color central to the intellectual and artistic life of Michigan State University. We are grateful that her important work will become part of the greater MSU and the Lansing community. As part of her residency, Nanibah will visit a number of classes, have an exhibition entitled ‘Ni’hoosdzaan: The female ground’ in the RCAH LookOut! Gallery and create a a site-specific mural in Old Town Lansing. 


“Ni’hoosdzåån: The Female Ground”-Nanibah Chacon

Through the month of October, Nanibah Chacon, WOCI Artist-in-Residence, will be working in Lansing, creating a mural. Below are the dates Nanibah will be working on her mural project, and you may view her progress on site. The location of the mural is 1207 Turner Road, Lansing, Michigan. The dates in October will be as follows: 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26. Please check out our “Events” page to see other events related to Nanibah’s residency, including the mural unveiling and closing ceremony.