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Now Featured · Photography Exhibition
Echoes of Kindness
Echoes of Kindness weaves together Native American and Irish narratives. Portraits of Native American sitters are interspersed with images of Irish donors who supported Navajo and Hopi families, creating a visual dialogue between past and present acts of generosity.
The exhibition is accompanied by a powerful interview with Mary Robinson, Ireland's first female President and the first President of any country to visit the Choctaw Nation. The Chief of the Choctaw Nation also sat for a portrait as part of the project.
The project's Irish connection began when Irish donors sent aid to Navajo and Hopi families during COVID-19, repaying a centuries-old bond. Read the ABC News story
Timed to coincide with Indigenous Peoples' Day in October and Native American Heritage Month in November.
Production
We built a studio on the Choctaw Reservation to photograph tribe members with projections of Irish famine illustrations, followed by a series in Ireland featuring the supportive Irish community.
Execution
These powerful black-and-white prints are showcased in a compelling art exhibition and published in an accompanying book, aiming to raise awareness and foster international cooperation.
Audience
This exhibit aims to attract an audience of art enthusiasts, history buffs, Native American cultural advocates, humanitarians, educators, community leaders, and philanthropists, as well as strengthen the bonds between Ireland and the US.
Our Goals
Our goals are to raise awareness about the unique Choctaw-Irish connection, create positive international dialogue, and support Native American communities through art.
Meet the Artist
Stephanie Murray
Stephanie is an Irish-born fine art and portrait photographer based in Chicago. With a background in history, art, sociology, and politics, she has worked with prestigious galleries and top-tier advertising agencies worldwide. Her photography, celebrated for its emotional depth and storytelling, has earned her recognition, including Editors Pick by LensCulture Critics Choice Award 2024. Her work often explores themes of cultural heritage and human connection, making her a vehicle for social change. She is a passionate advocate for the arts, significantly impacting the local community through her roles at the Museum of Contemporary Art and SkyArt.
Her latest project aims to highlight the historic bond between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland, showcasing her dedication to fostering understanding and solidarity through art.
Related Event
Echoes of Kindness at Ireland House Chicago
Hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland, Chicago
Date
Tuesday, November 10
Time
6 PM – 8 PM
Doors at 5:50 PM
Location
Ireland House Chicago
401 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Admission
Free and open to the public
Preceded by a 30-minute reception · Audience Q&A to follow
Join us at Ireland House Chicago for a photographic exhibition and talk by Stephanie Murray, Irish photographer based in Chicago. Drawing upon six years of photographic research and collaboration across Ireland and the United States, Echoes of Kindness traces an extraordinary story of compassion between three Native American tribes and the Irish people spanning more than 170 years.
The story begins in 1847, at the height of the Great Irish Famine, when members of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma — only sixteen years after their own forced removal along the Trail of Tears — raised money for strangers an ocean apart. More than a century and a half later, that act of generosity was reciprocated: during the COVID-19 pandemic, Irish people donated millions of dollars to relief efforts supporting Navajo and Hopi communities, many citing the Choctaw Nation's gift of 1847 as their reason for giving.
Through a series of large-scale contemporary portraits created in collaboration with the Choctaw, Navajo, and Hopi Nations and Irish donors, Stephanie Murray examines the relationship between Native American tribes and the people of Ireland, and how an act of compassion transcended geography, culture, and generations.
The Art Gallery at the Irish American Heritage Center serves as a vibrant space dedicated to celebrating visual arts, creativity, and cultural expression within Chicago's Irish and Irish-American community. Located on the second floor at the north end of the building, the gallery showcases a dynamic mix of contemporary and historical works from both emerging and established artists throughout the year.
The IAHC regularly hosts seasonal member exhibitions in the spring and fall, as well as its highly anticipated Biennial Juried Art Exhibit, which features cash awards including Best Irish Theme, Best of Show, Second Place, and People's Choice. Between featured exhibitions, visitors can also explore selections from the Center's permanent art collection displayed throughout the building, including the Library and the Fifth Province Pub.
As part of the Irish American Heritage Center's broader mission to support arts and culture, the gallery provides a welcoming and inspiring environment for artists, visitors, and community members alike.
Current Exhibit
Echoes of Kindness
Gallery Inquiries
For exhibitions, artist opportunities, partnerships, or submissions, please contact:
Madison Casey
Marketing & Programming Manager