Meet the Artist: Monica Nuvamsa — Heritage, heart, and healing through artistic expressions and accessories
If you’ve ever encountered a piece of art that makes you pause, smile, or just quietly reflect, you’ll understand the draw of Monica Nuvamsa’s work. A Hopi‑Tewa artist and woman creator with roots spanning the Colorado Plateau, Monica creates art that is at once deeply personal, culturally rich, and visually captivating. Her creative practice crosses mediums—pen and ink, painting, and graphic design—and then travels outward into objects people can hold onto: puzzles, textiles, and more.
On January 17 and 18, visitors to The National Parks Store in Tucson can meet Monica in person and explore her distinctive designs during a special trunk show.
Monica is a member of the Water Cloud Clan from the Village of Shungopavi in Second Mesa, AZ. Her maternal clan originates from the Tewa people that arrived to the Hopi villages from the Rio Grande valley of New Mexico around the time of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Her maternal grandfather was Bear Clan from Acoma Pueblo of New Mexico. Monica’s paternal lineage comes from the Havasupai people from the Grand Canyon. Her paternal grandparents are of the Parrot/Kachina clan and Badger clan from the Hopi Village of Orayvi.
Growing up surrounded by the creative energy of her community, Monica absorbed drawing, painting, silvercraft, weaving, and sewing from an early age. Though she is largely self-taught, she draws inspiration from the aesthetic traditions of her family and ancestral teachings, translating them into a contemporary artistic voice that feels both familiar and original. Her art is a conversation between past and present, a way of sharing stories while inviting reflection on universal themes.
Monica’s portfolio spans a wide range of mediums: pen and ink drawings, paintings, graphic design, and textile work. Her designs appear on puzzles, scarves, cards, and other curated objects, each imbued with symbolism and thoughtful intent. Collections like her “Journey of Life” series use recurring motifs—circles, paths, and symbolic imagery—to explore growth, balance, and renewal. Through these pieces, viewers are invited into experiences that are meditative, joyful, and contemplative.
“Every person is on a journey—whether through grief or another experience,” Monica shared in an interview with WNP. “And much of my work touches on healing and reflection in a very universal way.”
Monica’s creations are also grounded in community and intention. In collaboration with Eighth Generation, Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, she designed First Blessings Swaddle Blankets, designed with Hopi-Tewa imagery and traditional symbolic elements. These blankets carry prayers for protection, abundance, and strength, extending the care and meaning of Indigenous traditions into the everyday lives of families. These blankets shine a light on a cause deeply important to Monica, the need for more equitable Native infant and mother healthcare and resources.
Beyond her artistic practice, Monica received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a graduate certificate in Research from The University of Arizona. She also has a certificate in nonprofit leadership and small business development from Arizona State University. She is the executive director of the First National Development Institute and serves on the board of the Arizona Alliance for Nonprofits. Through consulting and advocacy, she works to strengthen Indigenous communities, honor cultural traditions, and support sustainable development, bringing the same care and intentionality to her organizational work as she does to her art.
Visitors to The National Parks Store on January 17 and 18 will have the chance to see Monica’s work up close, including stickers, notecards, puzzles, scarves, and other unique creations that carry her signature style and meaningful symbolism. This trunk show is more than a showcase of beautiful objects; it’s an opportunity to meet the artist, hear her stories, and engage with art that is both visually striking and culturally resonant
What makes Monica’s work so compelling is the blend of aesthetic skill and heartfelt intention. Her designs celebrate cycles of life, honor cultural heritage, and capture the beauty of the natural world. Whether through a puzzle’s intricate pattern, a scarf’s symbolic design, or a hand-drawn illustration, each piece invites connection, reflection, and peace.
Mark your calendar for January 17 and 18 and visit The National Parks Store to meet Monica Nuvamsa. Explore her thoughtfully designed creations, learn about the inspirations behind them, and take home a piece that carries not only artistry but a story.
By Julie Thompson
