ABOUT THE ARTIST: TARA

Hello everyone. My name is Tara. I travel the country in my truck camper, and am currently located in Austin, TX. I specialize in stained glass fabrications and am an enrolled Citizen of Cherokee Nation-I have 3 main passions in life right now and that’s this business, powerlifting, and learning the Cherokee language.

The MEANING OF NOQUISI DESIGNS

My business name, Noquisi Designs, is derived from the Cherokee word for star (ᏃᏈᏏ Noquisi). It serves as a personal mission statement: a reminder to shine your light and recognize your unique expression with the universe, just as the stars do. It’s a light that can’t be killed.

FROM EDUCATOR TO ARTISAN

For 15 years, I dedicated myself to teaching, primarily in elementary and special education. I founded Noquisi Designs after realizing the need to practice a core lesson I taught my students: to wholeheartedly believe in yourself, pursue your dreams through hard work and dedication, and to give back. Today, I travel and create full-time from my truck camper, attempting to build a livelihood as a working artist!

VISION AND MISSION

My ultimate dream as a stained glass artist and educator is rooted in cultural and environmental revitalization and community empowerment and healing.

1. Partner with Cherokee Nation and other tribes to create stained glass/mosaics that revitalize and share our stories, language, and culture with the children in schools or public spaces.

2. Provide free or reduced classes/intensive courses to Indigenous Peoples as an avenue towards healing and prosperity in the society we live in today. I was blessed with an amazing mentorship program opportunity, and would love nothing more than to share the knowledge I’ve obtained to help other people find a way to express themselves while walking in 2 worlds.

A percentage of proceeds from your purchase will go towards these efforts. I put a lot of heart into my work, and I would love to collaborate with you in any capacity in the stained glass world-whether thats through selling my art or teaching you the craft!

Contact Noquisi Designs

FAQs

  • The raw materials to create stained glass pieces are quite expensive, so overhead for artists is high. It also takes a long time to design, cut, grind, foil/lead, solder, patina, and finish this type of art—not to mention, Stained Glass is basically trying to kill the artist at every step of the process, haha!

    Keep in mind that you are paying for a one of a kind piece, as well as the skills and training that its taken an artist years to develop .

  • Absolutely! I am able to teach 1:1 or small group workshops within a 2 hour driving radius of ATX (Austin, TX). Please contact me for more info.