Indigenous Flair • Ancestral Symbolism with a Modern Twist

Indigenous Flair by Marcella Hadden features a series of photographs of Native American ceremonial traditions, sacred objects, and vibrant regalia, each reimagined through vivid filters that blend ancestral symbolism with a modern visual twist.

The exhibition is on display now through September 16, 2025, at the Andersen Enrichment Center, 120 Ezra Rust Drive, across from Ojibway Island in Saginaw. Hours are from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Indigenous Flair is a collection of culturally significant imagery enhanced with color-rich filters that engage the eye and invite curiosity. At first glance, viewers may not immediately recognize the subject, as the layered effects create a glowing, dreamlike atmosphere. Whether a traditional dancer mid-motion or a simple bowl of strawberries, each subject holds cultural meaning. Some photographs are close-up, while others are dynamic full-frame shots that capture the powerful energy of Native dance regalia in motion.

Marcella Hadden, a Tribal Member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, has been passionate about photography since childhood. She continues to refine her skills through workshops, classes, and by meeting regularly with fellow Central Michigan photographers. Her work has been featured nationally and regionally, including a repatriation photo exhibited at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., as part of the Nation-to-Nation exhibit.

Her photography can also be seen at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel, and the 7th Generation Ceremonial Building of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Additional displays included the Ziibiwing Cultural Center and the Art Reach Center in Mt. Pleasant. Her images have been used on the Mt. Pleasant Michigan city map, on storefront windows and as bus wraps.

Marcella owns and operates Niibing Giziis (Summer Moon) Photography, named after her Native name given to her at birth under the summer moon. Deeply rooted in her Native American heritage, her artistic focus spans both cultural storytelling and nature. In addition to this work, she specializes in newborn and family photography, capturing personal moments with warmth and intention.

Art @ the Andersen is supported from the Maxwell K. Pribil Memorial Trust, Jury Foundation, Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation, and the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. Art @ Andersen was established by the Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission to give artists in the Great Lakes Bay Region an opportunity to exhibit and sell their work.

For more information call the Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission at 989.759.1362.