A new exhibition at the Gallery at TCA, “The Return of the Force,” is on view through May 18, highlighting the creative influences of "Star Wars" on contemporary Native artists and exploring the resonance of these iconic stories and characters within Indigenous communities.

Artist Duane Koyawena is the guest curator for the exhibition, according to a city release. Koyawena has collaborated with a diverse group of Indigenous artists to present this unique perspective, blending timeless storytelling traditions with contemporary pop culture.

Senior Visual Arts Curator at the Gallery at TCA Michelle Nichols Dock said in the release that it has been an honor to work with Koyawena to bring together a compelling group of artworks reflecting the connections and parallels these artists see between their own traditional cultures and the global phenomenon of the "Star Wars" films franchise.

Notably, this is Dock’s last exhibition. After an incredible 18.5-year career leading the Gallery at TCA, she is retiring and couldn’t be more thrilled that her final exhibition celebrates her favorite series, "Star Wars".

In addition to the exhibition, feel the force at free workshops and programs to be hosted at TCA. The listing of events can be found at tempecenterforthearts.com/tcagallery. 

The release acknowledged that this exhibition and research behind it would not be possible without the dedication of colleagues at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff and the Center for Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. 

“We thank them for their work on previous exhibitions, including “The Force is with Our People” and “The Return of the Force,” that serve as inspiration and building blocks for this newest version,” the release stated.