ative American Art: Thousands of Artists But Only a Fraction of Their Masterpieces Have Survived

The arts of North American natives typically fall into broad categories of sculpture, painting, quill-work, beadwork and architecture. The Native American art types are further divided geographically. To cite two examples, the Northwest Coast is known for large sculptures such as totem poles and decorations on canoes, and the Southwest Pueblo people are known for their architecture.

According to the site Native American Indian Facts: “Native American Indian Art is as diverse as the hundreds of tribes that inhabit America; each tribe having a unique culture and art forms. Evolving from simple cave drawings and carvings, traditional American Indian art grew to include intricate art in such forms as jewelry, beadwork, weaving, pottery, basketry, paintings, dolls, carvings, masks, quillwork (embroidery), and totem poles.”

Dreamcatchers are a wold-famous part of Native American handicrafts. (©balisnake/ via Fotolia)