The Native Guide Project, 2019-Present
Tsouhlarakis employs her signature economy of style and message in this large site-specific re-installation of The Native Guide Project, which will be presented across key public areas of Breckenridge’s Arts District. Using the familiar medium of large-scale signs and banners, in clean black and white layouts of short text produced in Helvetica typeface and installed on existing building exteriors, structures and in public places, the artist’s message simultaneously blends in and stands out.
This project was conceived during her 2019-2020 artist residency at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Tsouhlarakis had a studio in the museum and during this time she engaged in conversations with museum education staff on their pedagogical strategies, specifically what key themes and ideas they wanted visitors to walk away with.
As an educator, Tsouhlarakis was inspired by the method of engaging the viewer in a positive and often affirming exchange, that can also be read as sassy or cheeky. Phrases such as, “I REALLY LIKE HOW YOU RESPECT NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS,” may make the viewer say, yes, I do respect the rights of Native Americans. Or, perhaps the statement makes them consider whether they really do and how they can do better. It is the scale and directness of the message that make this work uniquely impactful. By approaching challenging topics in this way, the artist makes space for positive and thoughtful dialogue and consideration.
Anna Tsouhlarakis is one of the featured artists in the 2025 Trail Mix series, part of Breck Create’s signature annual festival—BIFA. Trail Mix blends art and nature along scenic Breckenridge trails, where hikers and bikers encounter site-specific installations in the wild.
Aug 15-24th • All Day • Arts District Campus
This installation is available for self-guided exploration throughout the festival for those who prefer to experience the trail on their own.
Saturday, Aug 16th • 5PM • Old Masonic Hall
Anna Tsouhlarakis received her BA from Dartmouth College with degrees in Native American Studies and Studio Art. She went on to receive her MFA from Yale University in Sculpture. Tsouhlarakis has participated in various art residencies including Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Yaddo, MacDowell, and was the Andrew W. Mellon Artist-in-Residence at Colorado College for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Tsouhlarakis’s work has been part of national and international exhibitions at venues such as NEON Foundation in Athens, Greece; White Frame in Basel, Switzerland; Rush Arts in New York; the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto; the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts; the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art; the National Museum of the American Indian; the National Portrait Gallery; MCA Denver; and a recent solo presentation with Tilton Gallery at the Independent Art Fair in New York.
She is a Creative Capital Award recipient for 2021. Other awards include fellowships from the Harpo Foundation, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award, and most recently, a SOURCE Studio Corrina Mehiel Fellowship and a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship.
Tsouhlarakis is Greek, Creek, and an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation. She is Assistant Professor, Art Practices and Director, Foundations Arts Program at CU Boulder.
