Retro 51 Tornado Smithsonian NMAI Rollerball - Woodland Hummingbird & Flowers

A diverse and multifaceted cultural and educational enterprise, the National Museum of the American Indian cares for one of the world's most expansive collections of Native artifacts, including objects, photographs, archives, and media covering the entire Western Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego. Working in collaboration with Smithsonian, Retro 51 commissioned Native American artists to create unique artwork representing their heritage.

Dr. Shirley Brauker is a lifelong artist. She began working with drawing and painting, then moved into clay and bronze work. She uses personal experiences and her Little River Band of Ottawa culture to draw from and then carves stories into pots. Her “carved cut-out" approach, inspired by a dream, has become her trademark. She strives to combine the artwork and legends of the past with contemporary materials of the present, keeping story-telling traditions alive. Dr. Brauker's Moon Bear Pottery is dedicated to the preservation of Woodland art. Brauker attended Central Michigan University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Master of Arts, and a PhD. She also earned an Associate’s Degree from Mid-Michigan Community College. She also attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Dr. Brauker's “carved cut-out" approach and mission to preserve Woodland art inspired Retro 51 Tornado’s Woodland Hummingbird and Flowers. This Tornado has her design acid-etched onto the barrel and then plated in stonewashed copper with accents to match. The Smithsonian top ring is engraved with its individual number and then complete with the sun logo on the finial. Each rollerball is packaged in a commemorative tube that will store the pen when it is not in use. 

Refills: Retro 51 REF5P Capless Rollerball refills or Satandard G2 (Parker style) Ballpoint refills