Cara and Diego Romero: Tales of Futures Past, an impactful exhibit that explores the diversity of the indigenous identity and experience through art, opens Saturday, March 8, in the third floor gallery at the Figge Art Museum.
The couple’s exhibition – at the 225 W. Second St., Davenport, museum – brings together 39 artworks by acclaimed contemporary Indigenous artists Cara Romero, an enrolled citizen of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, and her husband Diego Romero, who was born and raised in Berkeley, California, to a Cochiti father and a non-Native mother.
Tales of Futures Past, which is organized by the Figge, is the first nationally traveling exhibition to showcase their works in dialogue, the museum said in a news release.
Featured are 18 of Mr. Romero’s thought-provoking pottery pieces and lithographs and 20 of Ms. Romero’s evocative photographs, including selections from her Indigenous Futurism series.
Following its three-month run at the Figge, which will end on Sunday, June 8, the tour through the summer of 2026. From Davenport it will head to the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California, and the Albuquerque Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and an additional venue.
“We are very excited (and moved) to have our first two-person show together that illuminates ways in which our works are in conversation with each other and how our artists’ lives intertwine,” the Romeros said in the Figge release. “We deeply enjoy creating in this life together and center our existence in art and work to support each other’s endeavors. It will be so touching to see the works travel together.”
While the pair maintain individual studios, the release said they engage with shared themes that interrogate the complexities and evolving nature of Indigenous identity.
Works show ‘power of art’
Drawing from personal perspectives and popular culture, they create artworks that confront the impacts of colonialization, celebrate resilience, and address issues of social and environmental justice through imagery deeply rooted in cultural heritage.
“This exhibition is a reminder of the power of art to reshape perceptions and worldviews,” Figge Co-Senior Curator Vanessa Sage said. “As artists and storytellers, Cara and Diego Romero encourage us to move past surface stereotypes and engage with the complexity of Indigenous identity while embracing our shared humanity and envisioning collective futures.”
Tales of Futures Past also features sections dedicated to rewriting historical narratives, celebrating the power of Indigeneity, advocating environmental consciousness, exploring shared mythologies, and tracing ancestral evolution.
“We are profoundly grateful to bring Tales of Futures Past to life, an exhibition that reveals both the artistry and the shared values that Cara and Diego Romero have for Indigenous representation,” Figge Executive Director and CEO Melissa Mohr said. “This exhibition invites audiences nationwide to engage with a reimagining of Indigenous identity and to join a broader conversation on American art’s evolving landscape.”
Tales of Futures Past is organized by the Figge and made possible, in part, through the generous support of the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation. Local supporting sponsor is Modern Woodmen of America, contributing sponsor is Carolyn Levine & Leonard Kallio Trust. The media sponsor is the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal.
Special events include
The Saturday exhibit opening also falls on a museum Second Saturday, which means there will be free Figge admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along with a variety of activities inspired by the Romeros’ works. That includes a noon performance by Morning Star Native Dance Troupe in the Figge lobby.
Then, on Thursday, April 10, the Figge will host the Cara and Diego Romero: Tales of Futures Past Panel Discussion. The bar opens at 5 p.m. and the program – which features panelists from the Great Plains Action Society discussing environmental issues – starts at 6:30 p.m.
Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are not required, but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling (563) 345-6632.
