About the Artist

Lydia Skahan has committed her life to expanding her artistic expression through various mediums such as quillwork, cornhusk basketry, traditional clothing design and modeling. Her work is influenced by Plateau tribal art forms, designs, and colors, and also incorporates modern trends. She supports herself as an entrepreneur and cultural educator through hosting workshops, taking custom orders, fashion show design, and as a presenter for Nez Perce Tourism.

Lydia is a descendant of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce), Yakama, and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. She was raised in the town of Lapwai within the homelands of the Nimíipuu. Lydia started her artistic journey as a young child, learning to weave small yarn sally bags with her grandmother, Jenny Williams, a renown cultural educator herself who continues to be Lydia’s primary mentor. Together they travel across the US to various museums and conferences to educate the public about traditional art practices of the Plateau Tribes. Lydia’s travels across Turtle Island have deepened her knowledge and appreciation of many indigenous art forms and traditional Plateau customs and art forms in particular.

As Lydia continues to invest her life into her artistic craft, the teachings of her grandparents and ancestors are at the heart of her work. Her role as a mother and cultural educator inspires her to advance her creative and professional endeavors for the next generations to come.