Santa Fe Art Institute

Michele Joy Kawahine Kilomana Naataq Ugruaq Danner

The owner and artist behind Kilomana Creations is Michele Joy Kawahine Kilomana Naataq Ugruaq Danner. She is Iñupiaq and Native Hawaiian. Her ancestral lands are Utqiagvik, Alaska and Kauai, Hawaii. She is guided by the traditional values of her Iñupiaq and Kanaka ‘Ōiwi elders, teachers, and community members. Her art mediums include acrylic paint, locally harvested animal hide/bone, digital programs, and tattoo ink. Her art goals include empowerment, authenticity, and story-telling. Outside of art she enjoys cultural activities, teaching volleyball to youth, and spending valuable time with her family.