04/13/2026
With 25 days left until the 55th Annual Stanford Powwow, we want to highlight those who help bring the vision of our powwow together year after year.
This year’s chosen artist was Nico Vargas. From the beginning, Vargas’s art really stood out to our committee with the way he is able to combine digital art elements with traditional Indigenous inspiration. Vargas is from the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and resides in Sonoma County, California. He describes his art as both honoring his Indigenous heritage as well as serving as a powerful reminder of his resilience and strength. Vargas also highlights that his inspiration for this year’s piece came from Shayne McCloud, a respected member of the Mishewal Wappo/Coastal Pomo from Sonoma County, California.
McCloud is a mother of five and a grandmother of two and currently works in the Grace Hudson Museum in Ukiah, California. As an aspiring basket weaver, McCloud is pictured holding one of her early creations. McCloud is a song holder, regalia maker, dancer, and continues to focus on learning her language and sharing her knowledge.
Our powwow committee expresses our deepest gratitude to both Vargas and McCloud for both inspiring and creating the beautiful art piece we have for our poster and merch this year. Please come out to this year’s powwow and get a chance to purchase this art piece on a poster or various merch products!
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