Join us for an evening that moves, inspires, and celebrates creativity in dance with FREE museum admission!
Delores Browne Abelson was a gifted ballerina, educator, and arts advocate who championed Indigenous artists through her New York gallery, “October Art,” where she created meaningful connections across art forms and communities.
This First Friday, celebrate the opening of October Art: The Collection of Delores Browne Abelson with special guest Tiffany Mellard — a performing artist, dance educator, and arts advocate visiting from New York City as she bridges dance, storytelling, and education to show how different art forms inspire one another. She’ll share stories from her dance journey, deliver a special performance, and lead a movement workshop (open to all ages and experience levels). Plus, join us for a special presentation by Ballet Arizona and discover the legacy of Maria Tallchief (Osage), the first Native American to achieve prima ballerina status.
Make a night of it while you’re here! Enjoy dinner at the Courtyard Café (open 5 – 7 p.m.), explore newly opened exhibitions, browse artful reads at the bookstore, grab a drink from the Cantina, and celebrate art in motion this First Friday at the Heard Museum!
Featured artwork (above): Harry Fonseca (Nisenan Maidu/Native Hawaiian/Portuguese), Coyotes: Working It Out (detail), 1984. Foil mixed media on paper. Gift of Delores Browne Abelson Trust; Archival images of Delores Browne Abelson during a ballet performance, n.d.
Who is Maria Tallchief?
Presented by Ballet Arizona, step into the legacy of an American icon with Maria Tallchief: America’s First Prima Ballerina — an inspiring educational lecture celebrating the life and artistry of one of ballet’s most groundbreaking figures. Participants will explore Tallchief’s remarkable journey from her Osage Nation roots to international stardom, breaking barriers as the first Native American to achieve prima ballerina status. Through stories, visuals, and discussion, this presentation illuminates her collaborations with George Balanchine, her role in shaping American ballet, and her lasting cultural impact as a trailblazer for diversity and excellence in the arts. Perfect for students, educators, and dance enthusiasts alike, the presentation offers a moving look at how one woman’s passion and perseverance forever changed the face of ballet in America.
Image (left): Maria Tallchief (Osage)
About Our Guest
Tiffany Mellard is a performing artist, dance educator, and arts advocate from Bronx, NY. She earned a BFA in Dance from Florida State University and a Ed.M. in Arts Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Mellard is a dance teaching artist at Misty Copeland Foundation, New York City Center, Brooklyn Ballet, and The Dalton School. She also serves on the Board of Directors at the NYC-based dance education non-profit, Dancewave. Her performance experience includes Hamilton: An American Musical (National Tour), Chicago, West Side Story, HBO’s The Guilded Age, and more. Additionally, she performed works by Yara Travieso, Nathan Trice/ RITUALS, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Gerri Houlihan.
Image (left): Courtesy of the artist. Photographer: Ambe J. Williams
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