ABOUT THE ARTIST: TARA

Osiyo Nigad, Tewa Unega Daquado yonegi gud. Tsi Tsalagi, Washington Tsinela.

Hello everyone. My name is Tara White. I am an at large Cherokee Citizen and I live in Washington state. I am a stained glass and mosaic contemporary artist and work with indigenous languages, stories, and perspectives when I create custom pieces.

I currently have work on display at the Museum of the Cherokee People in North Carolina for a special exhibition from the perspective of Cherokee people for the 250th anniversary of America’s Founding called:

ᏧᏂᏲᏍᎩ ᏂᎨᏒᎾ: ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯᎯ ᏃᎴ ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏁᎦ ᏓᏂᎦᏘᎴᎬ ᎠᏰᎵ ᎤᏙᏒᎲᎢ 

Unrelenting: Cherokee People and the American Revolution.

I also recently was awarded 2nd place in Sculpture at the 55th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show for an abstract stained glass piece titled:

Walking ᏔᎵ (ta-li) Worlds

The MEANING OF NOQUISI DESIGNS

My business name, Noquisi Designs, is derived from the Cherokee word for star, Noquisi (ᏃᏈᏏ). It serves as a personal mission statement: a reminder to shine our light and recognize our unique expression with the universe, just as the stars do. It’s a light that can’t be killed, so there is no sense is allowing it to be dimmed.

FROM EDUCATOR TO ARTISAN

For 15 years, I dedicated myself to teaching, primarily in elementary and special education—it took me a while to realize how harmful our system is, and I needed a break to get my mind right. 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. I’ve spent the last 2 years working on myself and working on my art, and I’m ready to shine my light.

I donate art and proceeds to projects that mean a lot to me—usually related to conservation work, especially for salmon and oysters, environmental education, healing, and Indigenous Peoples empowerment. If you know of any local organizations that need help, please reach out and let me know!

WHERE CAN YOU FIND ME

20th ANNUAL IN THE SPIRIT NATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL

Saturday, August 8th 2026 @ Washington History Museum

Tacoma, WA

COMMISSIONS ARE OPEN

IG: @noquisidesigns

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.