The vibrant world of Indigenous art and storytelling took center stage at the third annual Indigi-Con held at UC San Diego Park & Market on July 23, 2026. This unique event, which began as a Comic-Con panel, has evolved into a standalone celebration of Native artists and their cultural heritage.
At the heart of Indigi-Con are the young artists who share their passion for comic art and their Indigenous roots. This year’s event featured a panel of aspiring artists, including Nayah AlvaradoChanthavy AlvaradoChamish Duro and Matteo Lowry who discussed their work and the significance of their art.
Art as a testament to Indigenous existence
Nayah Alvarado a 21-year-old illustrator from the Ipai band of the Kumeyaay tribe shared her artwork, which blends influences from anime, streetwear, graffiti, and her Indigenous heritage. “Our artwork is an example of us,” Alvarado expressed. “It’s proof of our existence, and that means everything to me.”
Alvarado’s art is deeply rooted in her history and culture. She revealed that she has been working on a story for the past six years, inspired by the history of colonization. The narrative follows a protagonist who uses graffiti as a form of expression and a means to unite the community. This powerful story reflects Alvarado’s commitment to representing her heritage through her art.
The event opened with a cultural ritual known as “birdsinging,” performed by Alvarado’s father, Matthew Alvarado and her two younger brothers. This ritual, which combines the sounds of wooden rattlers with song and movement, set a profound tone for the day’s celebrations.
The growth of Indigi-Con and its impact
Indigi-Con has grown significantly since its inception, thanks to the support of the Indigenous Futures Institute at UC San Diego. The institute, dedicated to advancing the goals of the Indigenous community, has played a crucial role in transforming Indigi-Con into a stand-alone event.
Chag Lowry executive director of the Indigenous Futures Institute, shared his vision for the future of Indigi-Con. “The goal is that this is a long-term investment in the community,” Lowry stated. “I feel very hopeful that there will be young people that will choose to go into comics after being here and listening.”
Lowry emphasized that Indigi-Con is designed to recognize, unite, and celebrate Indigenous artists. The event is set to expand into a three-day celebration in February, providing even more opportunities for artists to share their work and connect with the community.
Bringing Indigenous worlds together
Alison Richardson an Indigenous graduate of UC San Diego, was invited by Lowry to attend Indigi-Con and share the space with other tribes and bands. Richardson, who grew up on a reservation, expressed the empowering experience of seeing the two worlds come together. “It’s empowering seeing the two worlds come together,” she said.
One of the artists helping to bridge these worlds is Johnny Bear Contreras a Kumeyaay sculptor. Contreras played a pivotal role in bringing Lowry to Comic-Con, where they formed the idea for Indigi-Con. Contreras shared his emotional journey of seeing the event come to fruition and his hopes for the future. “We want our critical path – our stories – to be told,” Contreras said. “We’re clearing the trail.”
Indigi-Con 2026 was a testament to the power of art and storytelling in celebrating and preserving Indigenous culture. As the event continues to grow, it promises to inspire future generations of Indigenous artists and foster a sense of community and empowerment.
