Native American Heritage Month

November 1–30, 2026

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month Through Art

This November, join JCLS in celebrating Native American histories, cultures, creativity, and contributions. Meet featured artist Zion LaMarr, an Indigenous artist and illustrator of Paiute, Pit River, and Modoc descent and an enrolled member of the Susanville Indian Rancheria. Explore his artwork, learn about the family and community connections behind the piece, and discover the Native American Heritage Month library card design.

Featured artwork

Artwork by Zion LaMarr

Mountains and sky, painted in purples, pinks, and blues, tell the story of a homecoming and a warm welcome by family and community.

Purple mountains beneath a turquoise, peach, and pale yellow sky, framed by patterned borders with an orange sun and crescent — Spray paint and acrylic on canvas, with a digitally painted border and final details. Select the artwork to view it at full size.

Artist Zion LaMarr wearing colorful regalia with ribbonwork and beaded necklaces

Artist bio

Meet Zion LaMarr

Zion LaMarr is an Indigenous artist and illustrator of Paiute, Pit River, and Modoc descent and an enrolled member of the Susanville Indian Rancheria. He is currently studying Art with a minor in Native American Studies at Southern Oregon University.

His work focuses on storytelling, cultural connection, and exploring different forms of creative expression. While illustration is his primary focus, he also enjoys working across a variety of mediums, including painting, beadwork, sewing, and mixed media.

Through his art, Zion hopes to celebrate Indigenous stories, identities, and the connections between people, culture, and place.

Family, representation, and belonging

About the Piece

Growing up in Ashland, Oregon, Zion felt the lack of Native teachers and other representation. He hopes that this piece can bring that important representation and community to others, especially youth.

For this piece, Zion focused on The Purple Flower Girl: his grandmother, Jean LaMarr. An artist herself, her prints and murals inspired Zion throughout his life, and art serves as a way for Zion to keep her story going. She is represented by the purple base of this painting, holding everything up.

The mountains and sky, painted in purples, pinks, and blues, tell the story of a homecoming and warm welcome by family and community.

This piece was painted on a large canvas with spray paint and acrylic. The border and final details were painted digitally.

Medium

Spray paint and acrylic on canvas, with digital details

Inspiration

Zion’s grandmother, artist Jean LaMarr

Look Closely

The purple base represents Jean LaMarr, holding everything up

Featured artist video

Purple Dreams

Get to know Zion’s process and a bit of his story in “Purple Dreams,” the latest JCLS documentary short.

Art in everyday life