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A Jefferson Lobby exhibition runs November 4–29. A separate, ticketed November 6 evening pairs recognition of Nanticoke communities with runway collections by Dayesla Ixtli and Kehala Smith.
All times are local to the venue · America/New York
The November 6 fashion art show places a host drum and a Fancy Shawl Dance alongside two designers’ collections. Its companion exhibition is a different kind of visit: a month-long presentation of contemporary Indigenous art in the Delaware Art Museum’s Jefferson Lobby.
Living in the Present brings contemporary work by Indigenous artists from across the Americas into the museum’s Jefferson Lobby. Its focus is not Indigenous life as a closed historical chapter, but as the work and experience of communities whose cultural practices continue now.
The museum’s framing also gives art room to address difficult histories and current trauma, alongside expression and storytelling. The exhibition listing identifies Immaculata (detail), credited to Ayala, as an oil painting with genuine 24-karat gold leaf.
Further reading: Living in the Present - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Living in the Present - IN Wilmington ↗
The November 6 program begins with a reception and viewing of the lobby exhibition, then moves through a special presentation by Itzel Aguilar and an opening ceremony. The Red Blanket Singers provide the host drum, with remarks from Chief Urie Ridgeway, before a cultural presentation honoring the Nanticoke Indian Tribe of Delaware and the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation of New Jersey.
The honor dance features the Fancy Shawl Dance and comes before the designers’ collections. A ten-minute intermission divides the runway showcases; the final portion of the evening is set aside for a meet-and-greet, vendor marketplace, designer booths and model photo opportunities. This sequence makes the recognition of local tribal nations part of the evening’s program, rather than a backdrop to the fashion.
Further reading: Living in the Present: Indigenous / Native Fashion Art Show featuring Kehala Smith and Dayesla Ixtli - Delaware Art Museum ↗
Dayesla Ixtli’s collection draws on Matlatzinca and Mexica-Nahuatl roots. Her practice spans wearable art, handcrafted headpieces, prop design and artistic makeup; the museum also describes her work in relation to the botany and craft traditions of central Mexico. Ixtli is originally from Tenancingo de Degollado in the State of Mexico.
Kehala Smith, of the Tuscarora Nation’s Turtle Clan lineage, brings beadwork, quillwork and leatherwork together with contemporary design through Kreations by Kehala. Her work has appeared at New York Fashion Week and SWAIA Native Fashion Week, and she received first place at the 2025 Santa Fe Indian Market. The museum also notes her teaching of traditional arts to Indigenous youth, a practice that connects her design work with cultural learning beyond the runway.
Further reading: Living in the Present: Indigenous / Native Fashion Art Show featuring Kehala Smith and Dayesla Ixtli - Delaware Art Museum ↗
The evening moves from a reception and presentation to tribal recognition, two runway showcases, and a closing marketplace and meet-and-greet. The full schedule is listed separately.
The exhibition is in the Jefferson Lobby. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thursday hours extend to 8 p.m. April through December. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The museum closes on Thanksgiving Day. November 26, 2026, falls on Thanksgiving, so the museum will not be open that day. General admission is free on Thursdays from 4–8 p.m. April through December when the museum is open.
Living in the Present - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Visit - Delaware Art Museum ↗
The exhibition is free with museum admission. General admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors age 65 and older, $7 for students with valid ID, and $6 for youth ages 7–18. Children age 6 and under and museum members enter free. Thursday admission from 4–8 p.m. is free April through December when the museum is open.
Living in the Present - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Visit - Delaware Art Museum ↗
Tickets for the 6–9 p.m. fashion art show are listed at $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers and $75 for a VIP pass. The VIP pass includes reserved seating closest to the runway, early access to purchase designer clothing and two drink tickets.
The opening reception lists libations and appetizers, with the exhibition open to view in the Jefferson Lobby. These are details for the November 6 event, not benefits of standard exhibition admission.
Living in the Present: Indigenous / Native Fashion Art Show featuring Kehala Smith and Dayesla Ixtli - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Living in the Present: Indigenous / Native Fashion Art Show featuring Kehala Smith and Dayesla Ixtli - IN Wilmington ↗
The museum says all galleries are wheelchair accessible, with seating throughout and two elevators with Braille buttons. The South Side entrance is wheelchair accessible. The North Side entrance is a flat, paved terrace, and visitors may be dropped off there. Automatic doors are listed at the Fusco Grand Hall and the North Side, South Side and Studio Wing entrances.
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are on every floor; their doors are not automated. Gender-neutral restrooms are on the second floor. Three wheelchairs and lightweight folding stools are available free of charge, and a wheelchair may be reserved by calling 302-571-9590 or 866-232-3714. Personal care attendants accompanying visitors with disabilities receive free museum admission, and service animals are welcome.
A limited number of parking spaces for visitors with disability placards are by the main entrance, near the Studio Wing, and in lots A and B. The path from parking near the Studio Wing is obstructed and cannot accommodate a wheelchair.
The November 6 program includes model photo opportunities. The museum permits personal photography except where gallery signs say otherwise; flash, tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
Living in the Present: Indigenous / Native Fashion Art Show featuring Kehala Smith and Dayesla Ixtli - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Visitor Policies - Delaware Art Museum ↗
The Delaware Art Museum is at 2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806. Free on-site parking is available behind the museum.
The supplied official visit information does not list transit routes. The map links can calculate directions from your starting point.
The South Side entrance is wheelchair accessible. The North Side entrance is a flat, paved terrace, and the museum says visitors may be dropped off there. Automatic doors are listed at the Fusco Grand Hall and the North Side, South Side and Studio Wing entrances.
It is on view November 4–29, 2026, during museum hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with Thursday hours until 8 p.m. The museum is closed November 26 for Thanksgiving.
Living in the Present - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Visit - Delaware Art Museum ↗
No. The exhibition is free with museum admission; the 6–9 p.m. fashion art show has separate tickets.
Living in the Present - Delaware Art Museum ↗ · Living in the Present: Indigenous / Native Fashion Art Show featuring Kehala Smith and Dayesla Ixtli - Delaware Art Museum ↗
Reserved seating closest to the runway, early access to purchase designer clothing and two drink tickets.
Yes. The museum lists free on-site parking behind the building.
2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.
Images from the linked sources. Each caption identifies the context of the image.
Event, planning and background information checked 2026-11-04 against the linked sources.