Creating has always been central to who I am. Every piece begins with an idea and a desire to create something thoughtful and meaningful enough to become part of someone’s life.
I work across a variety of mediums, including beadwork, sculpture, and fiber art because each idea asks for something different. Rather than being defined by a single medium, I choose the materials, colors, and techniques that best express the story I want to convey.
My work is rooted in my Onondaga heritage and the artistic traditions of the Haudenosaunee. I believe these are living traditions because each generation carries them forward in their own way. That belief guides my work, honoring what has been passed to me while allowing room for my own artistic voice.
I hope people are first drawn to my work by its beauty. After spending time with it, I hope they discover something more. Indigenous art is as individual and evolving as the people who create it. I hope my work encourages someone to look more closely and experience Indigenous art in a different way.
Whether one of my pieces becomes part of someone’s home, is worn during ceremony, or is passed from one generation to the next, I hope it becomes more than something beautiful to look at. I hope it becomes part of someone’s life, a conversation shared with family and friends, and something that continues to reveal itself over time.
To me, the most meaningful works of art are the ones that become part of people’s lives.
Artist Biography
Cheryl Shenandoah is an artist whose work is rooted in her Onondaga heritage and the artistic tradition of the Haudenosaunee. She creates one-of-a-kind works in beadwork, regalia, sculpture, dreamcatchers, and cornhusk art.
A lifelong creator, Shenandoah allows each idea to determine its own form, moving naturally between mediums while remaining grounded in the traditions that continue to inspire her work. As her beadwork evolved, she became part of a Haudenosaunee beading circle where artists gathered to exchange techniques, encourage one another, and continually grow together. That spirit of collaboration, generosity, and shared knowledge remains central to her artistic practice.
Shenandoah’s work has been exhibited at the Everson Museum of Art and is featured in a permanent installation at Crouse Hospital’s NICU center in Syracuse, New York. She is also a member of the Native Roots Artist Guild, where one of her sculptures received recognition for excellence. In addition to her studio practice, she teaches Haudenosaunee art and culture, reflecting her belief that artistic knowledge grows through creating, sharing, and community.