Visiting Artist Colloquium: Melanie Tallmadge Sainz

Note: this lecture is in Room L140 of the Conrad A. Elvehjem Building.

Melanie Tallmadge Sainz was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and was raised in the Wisconsin Dells area. Her parents Roger Little Eagle and Bernadine Tallmadge were trailblazers in the field of cultural tourism in Wisconsin in the mid-1900s. An indigenous artist and cultural educator, Tallmadge Sainz is a guardian of Ho-Chunk heritage who uses her mastery of beadwork and mixed media to sustain and share Native traditions. Her art is inspired by the history and legacy of her Ho-Chunk (English translation: People of the Big Voice) people. An enrolled citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, she specializes in traditional and contemporary techniques, including porcupine quill embroidery, beadwork, natural fiber weaving and twining, and mixed-media mosaics.

Her work has been shown in exhibitions throughout the US and Japan, and she has won awards at prestigious art markets including the Eiteljorg Museum, the Southern Highland Folk Art Center, and The Heard Museum. Her public art enriches local spaces, including the UW–Madison Arboretum, the International Crane Foundation, and the Great Sauk State Trail.

She received her degrees in Art Education from Arizona State University and has engaged in non-profits and arts education throughout her career. In recognition of her decades of service, she received the Art Educator of the Year award by the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) in 2024. Tallmadge Sainz is also the Founding Director of Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF), a non-profit organization dedicated to cultural preservation through the arts. Through LEAF, she strives to bridge cultures by creating "teachable moments" and providing support for emerging Native American artists. Her commitment to land stewardship and ancestral traditions—from foraging natural fibers to promoting sustainable harvesting—informs her belief that art is a universal language that fosters community healing and resiliency. Whether through her studio work at Mąą Wákąčąk (Ho-Chunk place name; English translation: Sacred Earth) or her statewide educational workshops, Tallmadge Sainz remains a devoted proponent of the necessity of the arts for all people. littleeaglearts.org

About the Visiting Artist Colloquium:

The Art Department Colloquium is a series supported by the Anonymous Fund and the Brittingham Trust. Visiting Artist lectures are held every Wednesday during the academic year, and are free and open to the public.

RSVPs recommended. Walk-ins welcome as capacity alllows.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where should I park?

There are several parking garages within a few blocks of the museum. Limited accessible parking stalls are located in front of the building. Contact UW Transportation Services for more information: https://transportation.wisc.edu/visitor-parking/. We are also on several Madison Metro bus routes, and BCycle stations are nearby.

Where at the museum is this event?

This event will take place in the Elvehjem building (room L140).

Can I call if I have questions?

Yes! You can call the welcome desk to speak with our Visitor Services team at 608-263-2246.