A new rooftop garden on the third floor of the Nevada Museum of Art showcases plants deeply connected to Native American basketry traditions of the Great Basin, honoring the enduring relationship between people, plants, and the broader environmental ecosystem of the region.
The rooftop features three distinct planting areas that are the foundation of the Thomas and Pauline Tusher Sculpture Garden, which will house an evolving collection of outdoor sculptures in the years to come.
The selected plants—which relate to the Museum’s permanent collection of Native American baskets—were chosen collaboratively by a team of Indigenous consultants. These plants are not only central to the creation of both functional and artistic baskets but also carry deep cultural meaning.
Indigenous knowledge, passed down through generations, offers invaluable wisdom about sustainable land stewardship and the responsible use of natural resources. By respecting and incorporating traditional practices, the garden exemplifies how these methods of cultivating and harvesting can play a vital role in addressing modern environmental challenges. The plantings serve as a reminder that respecting traditional ecological knowledge can provide sustainable solutions to contemporary environmental issues.
We are grateful to Melanie Smokey (Western Shoshone | Washoe), Melissa Melero-Moose (Northern Paiute), Jay Martin (Washoe | Western Shoshone), and Rhiana Jones (Akimel O’Odham | Washoe) for their collaboration.
Lead Sponsor: Henry Luce Foundation