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Experience Indigenous History as Living Culture in Prescott, Arizona: Filmer Kewanyama’s Hopi Spiritual Life

  • Writer: MIP Author
    MIP Author
  • Jul 25
  • 4 min read

Updated: Aug 3


Filmer Kewanyama’s Hopi Spiritual Life mural in progress inside the museum’s HOOP Room, with ladders, paint supplies, pueblo buildings, water, and landscape imagery.
Filmer Kewanyama’s Hopi Spiritual Life mural in progress inside the museum’s HOOP Room, with ladders, paint supplies, pueblo buildings, water, and landscape imagery.

Discover the Vibrant World of Hopi Spiritual Life


Experience the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture through the lens of art at the Museum of Indigenous People. One of the highlights is the mural created by Hopi artist Filmer “Fil” Kewanyama. This mural, titled Hopi Spiritual Life, transforms a wall in the museum’s HOOP Room into a vibrant narrative filled with pueblo architecture, cultivated fields, and the essence of Hopi life.


The HOOP Room, which stands for Hands On Observation and Play, is a perfect setting for families and children to engage with Kewanyama's art. The mural invites you to explore the relationships depicted within it, encouraging curiosity and dialogue.


The Artistic Journey of Filmer Kewanyama


Filmer Kewanyama, also known as Yoimasa, is a multifaceted artist. He is a painter, sculptor, and digital artist who hails from Shungopavi on Second Mesa in the Hopi homelands of northern Arizona. His artistic journey is deeply rooted in his upbringing, where family, village life, and cultural traditions shaped his creative expression.


Kewanyama primarily works with oil and acrylic paints but also explores various media, including sculpture and digital art. His work has been showcased in numerous galleries and exhibitions, emphasizing storytelling as a central theme. Each piece he creates carries a narrative, reflecting his experiences and the significance of Hopi culture.



“Each of my art has a story behind it. The best part is telling people what it means.” – Filmer Kewanyama


Understanding Hopi Spiritual Life


Hopi artist Filmer Kewanyama painting a ladder and pueblo architecture on the Hopi Spiritual Life mural at the Museum of Indigenous People.
Hopi artist Filmer Kewanyama painting a ladder and pueblo architecture on the Hopi Spiritual Life mural at the Museum of Indigenous People.

When you first encounter Hopi Spiritual Life, the mural’s vibrant colors and expansive scale capture your attention. However, a closer examination reveals a complex visual landscape. Homes, crops, water, and people are intricately connected, illustrating how spiritual life intertwines with daily activities.


The mural encourages you to see community, agriculture, and cultural continuity as deeply interrelated. It invites you to reflect on the importance of these connections in Hopi culture.



The Role of Water in Hopi Culture


Water is a recurring theme in Kewanyama's work. In the arid environment of the Hopi homelands, water is essential for farming, community survival, and spiritual practices. It is not merely a backdrop but a vital element that sustains life.


“Basically everything I paint that represents an aspect of Hopi culture has to do with the sacredness of water.” – Filmer Kewanyama

In Hopi Spiritual Life, water is depicted alongside corn, cultivated land, and the natural world. The mural prompts you to consider how communities rely on water and how cultural knowledge evolves from these relationships.



The Museum Experience


Two young museum visitors holding activity materials in front of Filmer Kewanyama’s colorful Hopi Spiritual Life mural.
Two young museum visitors holding activity materials in front of Filmer Kewanyama’s colorful Hopi Spiritual Life mural.

Museums often compartmentalize art, history, and spirituality. However, Kewanyama’s mural challenges this norm. It encourages you to view Hopi life as an interconnected web rather than isolated categories. This holistic approach enriches your understanding of Indigenous cultures as dynamic and evolving.


Kewanyama's work also addresses the common misconception that Indigenous cultures are relics of the past. Hopi Spiritual Life is a contemporary interpretation of Hopi identity, created by an artist who embodies the living culture of his community.


This educational purpose is evident in the mural. It creates a space where you can engage with Hopi perspectives through color, story, and place. Children are drawn to the mural’s bright colors and dynamic imagery, which can spark meaningful conversations about cultural significance and environmental responsibility.


“My goal is to bring awareness to non-Hopi on who we are.” – Filmer Kewanyama


From Military Service to Artistic Expression


Kewanyama’s path to becoming an artist was not straightforward. He served 21 years in the United States Army, retiring as a first sergeant. His transition to civilian life was challenging, and art became a crucial part of his healing process. He later studied graphic design at Yavapai College, further developing his artistic skills.


Through his art, Kewanyama connects with fellow veterans and highlights Indigenous military service. One notable piece honors the Hopi Code Talkers, who played a vital role during World War II. This aspect of his journey is explored in more detail in another article by the Museum of Indigenous People.


Continue Filmer Kewanyama’s Story The article delves into Kewanyama's military service, his transition to civilian life, and how art has facilitated healing and recognition for veterans. This connection allows for a deeper understanding of his artistic practice and the mural while providing a pathway to explore another significant part of his life. Using Art to Heal Fellow Veterans: Hopi Artist Filmer Kewanyama’s Journey

Experience Hopi Spiritual Life at the Museum


The accompanying photographs showcase both the mural and Kewanyama's broader body of work. His art spans various forms, including paintings, sculptures, and public projects. Each piece reflects his commitment to storytelling about Hopi identity and experience.


While photographs provide a glimpse, they cannot fully capture the mural's scale or its impact on the HOOP Room's atmosphere. In person, you can follow the mural's journey across the wall, discovering intricate details that may be overlooked in smaller formats.


Through Hopi Spiritual Life, Kewanyama offers a contemporary Hopi perspective shaped by culture, memory, and personal experience. The mural invites you to look closely, ask questions, and appreciate Indigenous art as a living form of communication that continues to evolve.


You can view Hopi Spiritual Life inside the HOOP Room at the Museum of Indigenous People, located at 147 North Arizona Avenue in Prescott, Arizona.



About Filmer Kewanyama


Filmer “Fil” Kewanyama, known as Yoimasa, works primarily with oil and acrylic paints but also engages in sculpture, mixed media, and digital art. His studio is located at Little Gallery on 6th Street, 697 6th Street, Unit 600, in Prescott.


You can reach Kewanyama via email at yoimasa@gmail.com. Explore more of his work through his Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour profile, his Fine Art America gallery, his Instagram profile, and the Yoimasa: Art of Fil Kewanyama Facebook page.


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