March 19, 2026 – March 1, 2027
The Millicent Rogers Museum is honored to present a special exhibition celebrating the life and work of Diné and Taos Pueblo artist DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo. Known for powerful paintings that honor Indigenous identity, strength, and community, DeAnna’s work reflects a deep connection to her heritage and a commitment to uplifting Indigenous women. This exhibition invites visitors to experience her artistic vision and to reflect on the lasting impact of her creativity, spirit, and legacy.
DeAnna loved to celebrate her Diné and Taos Pueblo heritage and to create art that reflected Pueblo cultural significance and aesthetics. Inspired by heroic figures of Japanese manga novels, she imbued her work with memory, resilience, and good intentions. Her most recent work emphasized figural paintings of strong Indigenous women who, in her words, “grind every day for a better community.”
DeAnna showed her work at the Southwest Association for Indian Arts Market for over a decade, a SITE Santa Fe Scholar, and the 2021 Taos Fine Arts Visionary Artist. Her artwork has been exhibited across the country, including the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in 2021. She was invited amongst a small group of artists to paint rooms at the Nativo Lodge as a Heritage artist. Her first illustrated picture book was published in 2021. She posthumously received her MFA from IAIA in 2022.
In 2021, DeAnna was tragically murdered. She is remembered as a dedicated student, a devoted friend, a kind person, and a passionate artist whose creativity knew no bounds.
This display honors her memory, and seeks to further her legacy.
Exhibition opening reception:
A public opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 19th, from 5 PM to 7 PM. This is an opportunity to celebrate DeAnna’s life and work with her family and community.
Find more information on the exhibit.
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