Karenne Wood, Artist in Residence

Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist Residency Program

In November of 2021, The Humanities Research Center launched the Karenne Wood Native Writer/Artist Residency program, providing an opportunity for Indigenous writers and artists to spend time at VCU, connect with local tribes, give public talks and readings, and enrich VCU students’ learning experience.

The program honors the legacy of Karenne Wood, Ph.D., who was a member of the Monacan Indian tribe and a poet, activist, tribal historian and educator who lectured at VCU on many occasions. Wood, who died in 2019, was director of the Virginia Indian Heritage Program at Virginia Humanities, led a tribal history project for the Monacan Nation, conducted research at the National Museum of the American Indian, and served on the National Congress of American Indians’ Repatriation Commission. Her two books of poetry, “Markings on Earth” (2001) and “Weaving the Boundary” (2016) are taught widely throughout North America. In 2015, she was named one of the Library of Virginia’s Virginia Women in History.

This residency is made possible in part thanks to Virginia Humanities and VCU Foundation. We'd also like to thank the School of the Arts for providing studio space for our Karenne Wood Native Artists-in-Residence.

Erick Krigsvold

Artist in Residence 2025-26: Erick Krigsvold

Erick Krigsvold is a Pamunkey citizen, culture bearer and artist living in
Richmond, VA. His work tells visual stories of Native Americans across the
country with a focus on Virginia tribes and culture. Driven by his desire to
explore and celebrate his Indigenous identity, Erick combines digital drawing
with traditional techniques such as screen printing. Erick speaks with students
and schools about Virginia Native history and culture and uses his website and
social media accounts to facilitate tribal education and awareness. He
advocates his mission of Indigenous Education Through Art through his work at
Pow Wows and other Artist markets throughout Virginia. Erick is elevating the
under-represented Native American voice in Virginia and ensuring that the rich
stories of Virginia’s Indigenous people are not forgotten. His work can be found
at thenativestatesproject.com and on Instagram @thenativestatesproject.

Artist Statement

I am a storyteller by nature and by heritage and a self-taught digital artist. I use
digital tools to bring traditional Indigenous art and culture into the modern
mainstream. I screen print my designs onto apparel because I believe that
wearable art makes my work and native representation more accessible. I am
interested in exploring other mediums but I believe that digital art has a place in
Native American arts and crafts culture and I want to be part of that movement.
I want to replace as many images of racist mascots with authentically and
lovingly created Indigenous imagery that respects our culture and history
instead of exploiting it. I am compelled to tell as many Native American stories
as I can. As a child of the 80s, I am heavily influenced by popular culture and I
strive to create the modern interpretations of Native art that I always wanted to
see in my youth. I want to respectfully reinterpret the art that my ancestors
created in a contemporary way.

Previous Artists