"It’s hard not to interpret them as monuments to libraries,” said Danielle Gravon, chief curator at the Plains Art Museum.

Smith broke barriers for Native art and exhibited at major museums around the U.S. Before she died last month, she planned a large-scale sculpture for the Missoula Art Museum.

A running list of all the national pavilions announced so far, as anticipation builds for the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026.