Monica Wapaha
Whiteriver, AZ USA
"Art has always been a part of my life. I’ve been an artist since I was really little. When I moved away from it, it eventually found me again."
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Monica's work combines: Art, Environment & Nature, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
As an Indigenous woman, I've faced a lot of pushback. People will tell me I can't do this or that because I'm a woman and a minority. I'm also one of the first Apaches to have a master's degree in fine art, so I'm really kicking down doors. The Noise used to really affect me in the beginning but now I don't let it get to me. I remember my goal and what I'm here to do. I know that what I'm making is important.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Associate's Degree
Fine Art
Institute of American Indian Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Fine Art
Institute of American Indian Arts
Graduate Degree
Printmaking
Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I come from a long line of Apache Indians who are driven to do more for our community and our people—I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
2.
I’ve always felt drawn to art since I was very young.
3.
As I got older, I took a detour and moved away from art and into the medical field, but I eventually found my way back to art.
4.
I earned my Associate in Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
5.
While working for various art programs on the reservation, I noticed that the events I was hosting were popular, so I decided to continue my education in art and pursue a master’s degree.
6.
I moved my family to Arizona to attend the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University.
7.
I earned my Master of Fine Arts in printmaking—I even took my children with me to school in order to do so!
8.
Now I’m focused on creating art through various mediums in both contemporary and traditional Apache artmaking processes—positive imagery of Indigenous women shows throughout all of my work.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You can't do this.
How I responded:
As an Indigenous woman, I've faced a lot of pushback. People will tell me I can't do this or that because I'm a woman and a minority. I'm also one of the first Apaches to have a master's degree in fine art, so I'm really kicking down doors. The Noise used to really affect me in the beginning but now I don't let it get to me. I remember my goal and what I'm here to do. I know that what I'm making is important.