On Saturday, June 11, 2016, the Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF) opened its Native Presence Art Gallery in Wisconsin Dells. The gallery featured the art of Ho-Chunk tribal member, Chris Sweet.
LEAF founder and director, Melanie Sainz, started her non-profit foundation to preserve and promote American Indian art and artists in 2013.
LEAF’s goals are to serve as an incubator for new and emerging native artists; maintain a gallery, gift shop, café, and public programs that promote native art excellence; to build a native art community through access to art; and develop a model for success to be shared with other native communities. The gallery opening hit on all four of their goals.
 “As Director I am most proud of two things regarding the opening. First, I am so proud of Chris. His hard work and creativity just blew people away at the opening. LEAF is so thrilled to have Chris as a part of our LEAF roster of new and emerging artists and we're excited to help support him in his art and business career,” Sainz said.
“Secondly, I am so proud to be a part of a creative community that supports authentic American Indian and First Nations arts and crafts. The arts are a major part of the revitalization efforts of the downtown Wisconsin Dells area and LEAF is here to model to our local community members and our visitors alike that quality and locally made products are important to us and contributes to the overall economic stability of all of our communities.”
According to Sainz, Sweet had 15 original pieces and 24 limited edition prints on exhibit and for sale at the gallery.  The exhibition was titled, Earth Sky Journey, and is on display through July 3. Sainz said Chris sold 3 original art pieces and 9 limited edition prints at the opening.
“George ‘Hushi’ Greendeer bought the "Native Reflections" piece. It being my first gallery show, I thought for sure I would be really nervous, but it turns out that this gallery scene is right up my alley,” Sweet said.
“It was a stroke of luck that this show came about actually. I didn't even realize that LEAF Director, Melanie Tallmadge Sainz was opening a native art gallery until I got a call out of the blue one day. Actually, now that I think about it, my mom, Lenore Sweet, got ahold of me and mentioned that Melanie was looking for an artist to do an opening show.”
“Melanie would not have known about my artwork if my painting wasn't spotted in shipping & receiving at the casino collecting dust. My fiancé, Chrissy Shegonee, and I attended an art business workshop at the casino where we met with Melanie and discussed the show. The workshop was April 16 and 17, and I started painting the following Monday and didn't stop until the night before the gallery show on June 11,” said Sweet.
“The inspiration came pretty easily. I combined my love for abstract painting and native pride and it all just came together like a perfect Indian taco; many beautiful layers. Aye! But seriously, Melanie really did an amazing job putting that gallery together.”
Sainz believed the gallery opening was a great community building event.  She estimated between 200 and 300 people visited the event.
“We had a wonderful blend of support from our Ho-Chunk people, non-Indian friends and neighbors, and dedicated art supporters. Many were locals and some attendees came as far away as Madison, Milwaukee, Tomah, Stevens Point, and Winona, Minnesota,” said Sainz.
“We expected between 100 and 200 people. Our volunteer with the clicker lost track of the number when we hit 205.”
The Native Presence Gallery is the only gallery in area that features American Indian art.  There are only a couple spots in the Wisconsin Dells that exhibits art.
“The second story of the H.H. Bennett Studio on Broadway has a gallery space that exhibits photography and Be Kind Studio on Oak Street provides space to local artists to exhibit their art work,” Sainz said.
 “A donor that has been supportive of LEAF's efforts since we launched offered the space to the organization at a very reasonable lease amount. The Board's decision to accept this offer took place this past spring.”
LEAF has plans to relocate to their future headquarters at the former home of the Winnebago Indian Museum on River Road in Adams County, just outside of Wisconsin Dells.
“I didn't get a chance at the gallery show but I wanted to dedicate my show to my daughters, Jaimee and Alex who have walked on. And to my sons Jase and Jonathan; to all the children who are beginning they're journey in life.”
“I really had fun meeting other artists and art enthusiasts. It's awesome to see some native culture coming back to the Wisconsin Dells neighborhood. I'm pretty sure that there is enough t-shirt shops.”
The Native Presence Gallery is located at 412 ½ Broadway in Wisconsin Dells.