The Heard Museum has found art in the most unexpected place: the kitchen pantry. Its charming exhibition “Blue Bird” celebrates the iconic Blue Bird Flour — the brand generations of Native families have used for frybread and tortillas — and shows how it has blossomed into a beloved symbol of Native pop culture.
On view now through February 14, 2027 in the Crosswalk Gallery, the exhibition gathers a compact but illuminating selection of works by Indigenous artists who stitch the brand into their creations in delightful ways. Some use the actual cloth of the flour bags, while others play with the famous blue bird logo. Visitors will find clothing, tote bags, face masks and paintings, including Toni Williams’ (Northern Arapaho) Shirt (c. 2015), crafted from real Blue Bird flour-bag cloth, from the collection of Kathy and Bill Howard.
Beyond the artistry, the exhibition also shares the history of frybread itself — a story of resilience, family kitchens and cultural pride. It’s a perfect, feel-good stop for the whole family, open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2301 North Central Avenue in Phoenix.
Photo: Heard Museum
