Founder, René White (Feather)

René White (Feather) is a Native American, military veteran, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend.

Like the Feather she travels through life in non-resistance moving and flowing; but not blowing around aimlessly. Her life’s path has not always been easy, but like the Feather she is resilient. She has have flown around the world a couple of times. Touched others and their lives have touched hers.

Like the details between a single Feather, each small space in her life also has a story. She prays to continue to be humble as a Feather, because she believes, Creator God knows, it takes more than one Feather to make a wing and soar into the wind.

René has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Fine Arts & of Science in Mathematics, and Masters in Liberal Arts. She is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. Her vision is protecting a space to create new possibilities. She teaches Art in Nature™ at the Sanctuary on the Trail™, a Native American Church of Virginia.

René proudly serves as the Vice President of the Virginia Lovers’ Gourd Society, 1st place winner of the 2013 Gail Smith Gourd Award for the Clarke County Fair, member of the National Gourd Society and member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post 9760. René is also the President of the Native American Church of Virginia.

Proceeds for purchasing her art are tax deductible and helps fund art classes René teaches at her Native American Church of Virginia, non-profit faith-based church.

René’s work is Authentic Native American Art. Her work meets the “Authentic Indian Arts and Crafts” and “Indian Product” criteria and is labeled appropriately as authentic in accordance 36 CFR 51, Authentic Native Handicrafts.

René is indigenous to the Eastern Lumbee Tribe. Art in Nature™ at the Sanctuary on the Trail™ is a Native American Church of Virginia faith-based initiative she and her husband lead.