Princesses and Patchwork: Spotlight on the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum
December is a time of family, togetherness, and celebration. It can also be a time of growth and education! With more time off from school and work, one way to celebrate that togetherness is to get out! Learn together, and have new experiences this holiday season. Today and throughout December, we are highlighting some special ways you can do that with the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. This week, join us to explore two of the most exciting exhibits that the Museum has to offer right now. We encourage you to make the Museum, and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, part of your holiday plans.
Taweeahche: Seminole Patchwork Exhibit
Located in the East Gallery of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, the “Taweeahche: Seminole Patchwork” exhibit opened in October of 2024. In past blog posts, we have examined how Seminole patchwork has become an iconic part of the Seminole story. This exhibit is a celebration of patchwork. It showcases “the work of more than 20 Seminole sewing artists from five different Seminole reservations, including Trail and Big Cypress.”
With techniques passed down from generation to generation, patchwork has become an vital repository for traditional knowledge. The exhibit highlights different sewing techniques, patterns, inspiration, and the history of how these pieces got here. Featuring a dazzling array, “Taweeahache” is a celebration of not only specific pieces, but the artists who have shaped them.
Part of the exhibit includes exclusive interviews with Seminole designers and patchwork artists. Lenora Roberts and Melissa Osceola DeMayo are just two of them. Roberts just completed another year’s fashion show at the American Indigenous Arts Celebration in November. “Patchwork has grown and evolved over time, becoming more intricate and beautiful with each generation,” says DeMayo in the exhibit’s video segment. “This exhibit honors the past while showcasing how the tradition continues to thrive today.” Pieces also include a placard with insights from the artists, giving a glimpse into their inspiration, learning process, and memories.
Your Experience in “Taweeahche”
This exhibit is one that can be experienced on many levels. We encourage you to take your time looking through each piece. They all have intricate details and deserve the time it takes to appreciate and recognize those details and craftsmanship. As you step into the East Gallery, you are met with a piece by Jessica Osceola. Osceola has been featured at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum a number of times and is an accomplished artist in many mediums.
You may remember her from the previous exhibit “It’s Not a Costume: Modern Seminole Patchwork.” Osceola co-curated it with former Curator of Exhibits Rebecca Mazerowski (Fell) in 2014. Osceola’s “Ringling Dress” (below) features black, gold, red, purple, blue, and white patchwork strips. Osceola took inspiration from the famous Ringling Circus. She designed the dress as a full ballgown, at home or at any formal event. On the accompanying plaque, Osceola “shares with those admiring her work and other pieces to not prejudge the form and functions of patchwork.”
Truly, the rest of the exhibit continues to challenge anyone with preconceived notions of what patchwork is, or what it could be. A white lace dress features patchwork dancing across the front, and cascading flowers on the skirt. Another piece, a jacket, has incredibly finely crafted patchwork that dazzles with color and incredibly small shapes. Ric-rac details the collar, wrists, and waist, and is expertly applied in such a way as it almost looks like beads.
Animals, from an alligator with jaws open, to a deer running across the bottom of a skirt, can be found in another piece. All throughout the small exhibit space, patchwork flowers and butterflies are found in glass jars, another declaration of skill and talent. This exhibit is not one to be missed and truly honors the past traditions of patchwork while pushing it to another creative level.
The Ahfachkee Student Art Exhibition
Tucked away in the Nook Gallery just across from the “Taweeahche”, the newest exhibit at the Museum is the Ahfachkee Student Art Exhibition. The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki annually exhibits student art, creating for them a place to flourish, grow, and see their potential. This year’s vibrant exhibit showcases a collection of works “highlighting their creativity and growth as artists over the past year.” Students experiment with technique, form, color, and texture, with each piece telling a story of exploration. Students interpret the theme many different ways, from color theory to cultural themes. Below, you can see an image from the exhibit installation in September 2025.
“Beautiful and Proud” Miss Florida Seminole Exhibit
The “Beautiful and Proud” exhibition opened May 22, 2025, to much fanfare. This exhibit is a living one. Many past and present Miss Florida Seminoles added their experiences, memories, and voices to it over the last year. Eighteen former Miss Florida Seminole and Junior Miss Florida Seminoles attended the opening celebration on May 28, 2025.
JoJo Osceola, Miss Florida Seminole 2004 and Assistant Director to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, welcomed the crowd at the opening celebration. “These special women have gone on to become tribal leaders, community leaders, businesswomen, aunts, mother and grandmothers,” Osceola said. “To our future generations of aspiring Miss Seminoles to come, be proud and remember where we come from. Our intention with this exhibit is to honor our Seminole women and to inspire our young people to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
The exhibit meanders throughout almost the entire Museum. Pictures of each Miss Florida Seminole adorn the walls, and crowns, clothing, videos, and more are placed throughout. A list of every Miss Florida Seminole, from 1957 through the installation, is prominently featured on one wall. A wall mural featuring many of the former princesses’ images when they won puts a face to history. A picture of the first Miss Florida Seminole, Connie Gowen, is prominently placed on an inside wall, colored purple and adorned with flowers (below).
It is clear through the exhibit, and the personal touches of everyone involved, that the Miss Florida Seminole Pageant is one close to many people’s hearts. The annual pageant is run by the Princess Committee, which consists of a group of former Miss Florida Seminoles who volunteer their time. Many, many winners have gone on to have prominent places in the Tribe and continue to give back and stay connected. You can just glance at the list of winners and find dozens of names you might recognize – from Lorene Bowers Gopher, Louise Jones Gopher, Erica Dietz, Tina Osceola, to Cheyenne Kippenberger. They have gone on to be teachers, artists, judges, representatives, presidents, and so much more.
“So many women have been a part of the program, it has touched so many lives over the years,” said President Holly Tiger, Miss Florida Seminole 1992, at the celebration. “It’s our version of royalty, but is so much more than that. They are our ambassadors. I look at my time as Miss Florida Seminole with gratitude. The program empowers our ladies to chase their goals, gives them an opportunity for personal growth, a chance to see the world and the country, gives another perspective and opens new doors.”
Your Experience in “Beautiful and Proud”
Even though “Beautiful and Proud” and “Taweeachche” are separate exhibits, patchwork is a common thread that links the two together. It is featured many times in the Princess exhibit as well. Purple, black, and white patchwork flowers seemingly spring from the walls, climbing up trellises around a video portion of the exhibit. The Seminole Princess Doll, below, is right next to one entrance of the exhibit, where a chickee wound with flowers welcomes you into the gallery space. You may recognize the chickee, which was originally constructed for the “Art of Seminole Crafts” exhibit.
Much like the “Taweeachche” this exhibit is a celebration. Actually, it would not be too far off to consider all of the rotating exhibits at the moment a celebration. This one celebrates the dedication, the passion, and the achievements of the Seminole Princesses throughout the years. It is also almost a love letter to the program itself, which uplifts and celebrates Seminole women, who then come back around to uplift the next generation of Miss Florida Seminole.
Cece Thomas, Miss Florida Seminole 2024, attended the celebration in May as the then-reigning royalty. “This means a lot to me, to be a part of this sacred covenant,” said Thomas. “All the women here are strong. We honor those who have done this before and I hope this legacy will be here forever. These ladies all mean something to our tribe and I’m thankful to be among you.” By the way – you can meet and get a picture with her in the exhibit. Mind the red carpet, but Thomas’ life-sized cut-out, below, is available for a photo-op next to the library!
The new reigning Miss Florida Seminole 2025 Bailey Marie Latchford even had a chance to come by the Museum and see the exhibit at this year’s AIAC in November, snapping a picture of herself and Thomas’ cut-out on the red carpet.
The Seminole Princesses Exhibit is one that is so special it would be a shame to miss out on experiencing it. The gallery space is flooded with memories, in pictures, video, clothing, patchwork, crowns, and personal items. Even though it goes throughout the Museum, it feels intimate and personal, as if each princess is sharing their experiences and memories directly with you.
If for no other reason, go to learn more about what the Miss Florida Seminole program is, and what it isn’t. It is a pageant focused on selecting the perfect ambassador and representative for the Tribe in that moment, each unique but focused on serving the Tribe and giving back. We encourage you to go and experience the beauty, and the well-deserved pride, of the Miss Florida Seminole Exhibit for yourself.
Upcoming at the Museum
With all these incredible exhibits, now is the time to make your way out to Big Cypress and experience the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum for yourself. But don’t wait too long! “Beautiful and Proud” is only running through Summer 2026. “Taweeahche” was only originally running through June 2025 and is now extended for a short time.
Interested in visiting the Museum and need Christmas gifts? Knock off both at the same time at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s Big Cypress Holiday Market! Stop by the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum December 12-13th from 10a – 4p for the annual Holiday Market. Native arts, crafts, patchwork clothing, and jewelry will be for sale. Seminole food vendors will also be on site. The event and parking are free, and entry also includes free admission to the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. Held on the Museum Festival Grounds, this is the perfect opportunity for you and your family to drive out and experience the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum for yourself!
Tips and Tricks for Having The Best Experience
- Take your time! Don’t rush through the exhibits. Each exhibit is jam packed with things to learn, experience, and find beauty in. Savor it and take your time.
- Make a day of it. Big Cypress is a bit of a drive for anyone. Plan your visit with enough time to see all the things you want to see. Need to grab a bite to eat? Swamp Water Café is just down the road, a full-service restaurant in the heart of Big Cypress.
- Stretch your legs. In addition to the exhibit space, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum also features a mile-long boardwalk through the cypress dome. Although that may not seem l too long, you never know what you might see on your walk!
- Plan ahead. Make sure to pack some water, snacks, and get gas before you leave the major metro areas. Think about what you want to visit, and which exhibits you’re excited about. We encourage you to check the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum’s social media for any events or closures.
- But, be flexible! The drive, the boardwalk, and Big Cypress Reservation itself are all part of the experience. Be flexible about changes in weather, timing, and the exhibits themselves.
Most of all, have fun! Happy Holidays from Florida Seminole Tourism.
