Cole Redhorse Taylor: Creating Contemporary Work Through Connection to Traditional Art Forms

Cole Redhorse Taylor: Creating Contemporary Work Through Connection to Traditional Art Forms

From Native Lights: Where Indigenous Voices Shine by Minnesota Native News

December 18, 2025 · 29 min · Season 3 · Episode 169

About this episode

Cole Redhorse Taylor discusses his journey as an artist and the connection between his contemporary work and traditional art forms.

Today, we're excited to welcome Cole Redhorse Taylor to the Native Lights podcast. Cole is Mdewakanton Dakota and a member of the Prairie Island Indian Community. He's an artist, and has worked in many mediums: drawing, painting, beadwork, quill work, hockey helmets. He's created contemporary and traditional pieces heavily inspired by the artwork of his ancestors. And of course, if you're a sports fan, you may have seen his collaborations with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Wild. Cole never thought of himself as an artist when he was growing up. Didn't he have to be able to draw a realistic portrait to be considered an artist? He couldn't do that. It was only later he realized he'd been making art all along, creating traditional beadwork, but not realizing it for the art it was. He shares with us his evolving journey as an artist and how his art connects him to community. He also chats about books, travel, Disney World, the surprise controversy surrounding the hockey helmet designed for the Minnesota Wild goalie, and advice for up and coming artists. ----- Hosts / Producers: Leah Lemm, Cole Premo Editor: Britt Aamodt Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing &amp…

People in this episode

Hosts: Leah Lemm, Cole Premo

Guest: Cole Redhorse Taylor

Topics covered

  • art
  • Indigenous culture
  • community connection
  • traditional art forms
  • sports collaborations

Keywords

  • art
  • Mdewakanton Dakota
  • beadwork
  • quill work
  • hockey helmets
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Minnesota Wild
  • community
  • traditional art

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Wild, Prairie Island Indian Community

Places: Disney World

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