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Native Artists to Hold Miniature Making Workshops at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
May 21, 2026
Native Artists to Hold Miniature Making Workshops at The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures
Member News

May 20, 2026 (KANSAS CITY, MO) – The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures will be hosting Native artists from across the country for micro-residencies in Kansas City, Missouri. Beginning on June 5, 2026, artist-in-resident LaDonna Victoriano (Pueblo of Acoma), featured artist in Native Arts in Miniature, will hold a three-day miniature workshop exploring clay, culture, storytelling, and small-scale making. Tickets for the workshop are $95 and include all art supplies. Participants may choose between a two-day or three-day workshop experience.

LaDonna Victoriano (Pueblo of Acoma) is a ceramic artist inspired by, and working with, traditional elements that incorporate contemporary innovations. The pottery that she makes comes from clay that she and her family gather in the mountains of their reservation. She also uses the shards from those mountains for temper and incorporates the designs found on them into her work. Her designs and patterns are hand painted with a yucca brush using Native paints.

Schedule

  • Friday, June 5: 10AM-3PM. Participants will learn hand-building techniques and how to use clay tools to create a miniature moveable and usable skateboard while learning about its cultural significance. From 6-7PM, a free conversation with Victoriano and Sydney Pursel (Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska) will be held to as an opportunity to learn more about Victoriano’s creative practice, personal history, and artworks’ connection to her culture. Victoriano’s son, Jesse Saavedra, will also share about the family practice of gathering art materials from the mountains of their reservation.

  • Saturday, June 6: 10AM-3PM. Participants will learn pinch pot techniques and how to use clay tools to create a small bread oven while learning about its cultural significance.

  • Sunday, June 7: 10AM-3PM. Participants will complete their clay miniatures by painting and decorating them. (*All workshop objects will be fired offsite on Saturday evening.)


Ticket link for the Clay Miniature Workshop: https://toyandminiaturemuseum.org/events/meet-the-maker-ladonna-victoriano-workshop/

Ticket link for the free conversation with LaDonna Victoriano: https://toyandminiaturemuseum.org/events/meet-the-maker-ladonna-victoriano/

This project is supported in part by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund; the Henry Luce Foundation; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; Tepa Companies; Travois; and a generous anonymous donor.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF TOYS AND MINIATURES

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures educates, inspires, and delights people of all ages by collecting, displaying, and interpreting toys and miniatures that illuminate diverse narratives and cultural heritage. Located on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, the Museum exhibits the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the nation’s largest collections of historically significant toys on public display. For more information, call 816.235.8000 or visit www.toyandminiaturemuseum.org.