NNNF Poster winner, Shemar P. George

The Northern Navajo Nation Fair Board announces the 102nd Annual Northern Navajo Nation Fair poster winner, Shemar P. George of Two Grey Hills. Shemar, a fourteen year old student of Navajo Preparatory School was selected among several entries in this year’s contest. Regional talented artists submitted illustrations to reflect and showcase this year’s fair theme, “T’áá nihí aniit’éego bee hózhó náhoodleel- Individually, we restore balance and harmony.”

Each year submissions are made by aspiring artists with their interpretation of the theme and contestants are judged on aesthetics, theme incorporation and originality. Shemar’s drawing is the official fair poster that will be displayed during the 102nd Annual Northern Navajo Nation Fair from October 3-6, 2013. In Shemar’s submission he reflected on the areas of Navajo culture that creates the elements of harmony and balance.

Shemar states, “The motto for the Shiprock Northern Navajo Fair was “Individually, we restore balance & harmony” What the image represents from my drawing is the motto of the 102nd Shiprock Northern Navajo Fair. What the corn represents is having harmony, also what the basket represents is to restore balance, the four arrowheads represent the four directions and the four colors, what the corn stalks represent is the corn pollen we bless ourselves with. IN the background, the rock represents Shiprock. So altogether Shiprock individually balances itself like the Navajo basket and has harmony like the corn stalks and the corn.”

The Northern Navajo Nation Fair Board will feature Shemar in this year’s parade to be held on Saturday, October 5. The Navajo Nation President and Vice President have also extended a special invitation to Shemar and his family to the Presidential dinner to be held during the Northern Navajo Nation Fair. Posters are available for purchase for $10.00 at the Northern Navajo Nation Fair Office, Nataani Nez restaurant in Shiprock, New Mexico and Alex Benally’s Hogan in Farmington, New Mexico.

The Northern Navajo Nation Fair is currently seeking submissions for the 103rd Annual Northern Navajo Nation Fair poster and theme contest. Interested individuals can contact the Northern Navajo Nation Fair office for more information. The theme contest deadline is October 31 and the poster contest deadline is December 31, 2013.

For more information on how to enter and guidelines, please visit the Northern Navajo Nation Fair office or contact nnnfpc@gmail.com.