Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture

August 1, 2014 by

Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture

65th Annual Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture

August 2–3, 2014

Theme

Sharing, Supporting and Sustaining Diné Culture

Museum of Northern Arizona

Photo courtesy of Museum of Northern Arizona

More than 60 award-winning artists will travel from across the Navajo Nation for a weekend of cultural immersion at the Museum of Northern Arizona’s 65th Annual Navajo Festival of Arts & Culture..

Ticket prices are $10 adults, $9 seniors (65+), $7 students (with ID), $6 American Indians (10+) and $6 youth (10-17). The event is supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts with funding from the state of Arizona and the National Endowment on the Arts as well as the Flagstaff Arts Council with City of Flagstaff/BBB Revenues.

2014 Festival Schedule

Saturday, August 2, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. Flute Music by Aaron White
10:30 a.m. Jennifer Denetdale, Discussion: Photography of Milton Snow
11:00 a.m. Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers
11:30 a.m. Klara Kelly, Discussion: Navajo Sacred Places & Historical Catastrophes
12:00 p.m. Big Water Designs Fashion Show
1:00 p.m. Radmilla Cody & Special Guests
1:30 p.m. Aaron White, Discussion: Native Flute Origins
2:00 p.m. Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers
2:30 p.m. Melissa Henry, Film & Discussion: Horse You See
3:00 p.m. “Musical Performance by Sihasin
3:30 p.m. Shawn Price, Discussion: Understanding the Diné Basket
Sunday, August 3, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. Aaron White Flute Performance
10:30 a.m. Jennifer Denetdale, Discussion: Photography of Milton Snow
11:00 a.m. Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers
11:30 a.m. Klara Kelly, Discussion: Navajo Sacred Places & Historical Catastrophes
12:00 p.m. Big Water Designs Trunk Show
1:00 p.m. Radmilla Cody & Special Guests
1:30 p.m. Aaron White, Discussion: Native Flute Origins
2:00 p.m. Dineh Tah Navajo Dancers
2:30 p.m. Melissa Henry, Film & Discussion: Run Red Walk
3:00 p.m. Musical Performance by SihasinSihasin, Historic Insights Performance Tent
3:30 p.m. Shawn Price, Discussion: Q & A Diné Culture

 

Saturday and Sunday, August 3 & 4, All Day Activities

Navajo Artists Consignment Sales

Navajo Festival Photos 1959-1978 from the MNA Archives

One Hundred Years of Navajo Rugs from MNA’s Navajo Textiles Collection Collection

Weaving, Basket Making, and Jewelry Demonstrations Kids Creative Corner Tasty Food from Local Vendors

Free Shuttle to Parking Lots

 

Map to the Museum of Northern Arizona

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Hubbell Native American Auction May 4, 2013

May 2, 2013 by

Navajo Rugs and many other Native American Art and Crafts

Hubble Trading Post auction 2012

Hopi katsina dolls – pottery – carvings – fetishes – Navajo& Hopi baskets – Navajo rugs –
jewelry – concho belts – sash belts – paintings – cradle boards – and many more.

Preview is from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM and the auction will start at 12:00 noon and go until all items are offered to the bidders. Remember that the Navajo Reservation will be on daylight saving time.

Native American food vendors will have available many traditional foods and the tent and park grounds will be occupied with many local traders and Native American vendors offering all types of art and crafts and the Trading Post will be open throughout the day as well as tours of the J.L. Hubbell homestead.

Driving Directions to Ganado & Hubbell Trading Post
The National Historic Site is located within the Navajo Nation in Ganado, Arizona near the intersection of Highways 264 and 191.

Source: Friends of Hubbell Trading Post

Filed Under: Navajo Art Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Double Concho belt by Jay J. Livingston

September 12, 2012 by

Double Concho belt by Jay J. Livingston

Belt 42” Silver with Corral
Jewelry 1st Place – Nizhoni Fine Arts Competition
Navajo National Fair 2012

Filed Under: Navajo Art Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Nizhoni Fine Arts Competition Winners

September 5, 2012 by

 

Sponsorship of the Fine Arts Competition

at the

66th Annual Navajo Nation Fair

“Remembering History, Celebrating Freedom & Appreciating Tradition”

Best of Show Award Geneva Shabi

Best of Show Award Geneva Shabi

OFFICIAL WINNERS LIST

Best of Show Award                                                     Geneva Shabi #377 – Wide Ruins style
President’s Choice Award                                            Alexander Becenti #379 – Storyteller belt, hat, bracelet (set)
Vice-President Choice Award                                       Aaron B. Anderson #012 – Waterbird set
Fire Rock Navajo Casino Choice Award                        Dewayne Chee Sr. #007 – Wings on a Prayer

NNM Horizon Choice Award                                         Edward Charlie #356 – “Cubism”

 

ADULT DIVISIONS:
Paintings, Drawings & Graphics
1st Place                                                                      Hyrum C. Joe #203 – “A rug for Two Dolls and a Coke”
2nd Place                                                                     Patrick D. Hubbell #068 – “Center of Attention”
Honorable Mention                                                        James King #047 – “Happy Valentine”
Special Award                                                               Damien Harvey #170 – “Where Spiders Sleep”
Jewelry
1st Place                                                                      Jay J. Livingston #103 – Double Concho belt 42” silver w/ corral
2nd Place                                                                     Benson Manygoats #093 – 14k gold, Reversible Bear Buckle
Honorable Mention –                                                      Raymond C. Yazzie #144 – Silver Bracelet w/ many stones

Special Award                                                               Ernest Benally #095 – 14k gold double finger ring

Basket
1st Place                                                                      Lorraine Black #005 – Horse design (blk/wht) tray basket
2nd Place                                                                     Sally Black #006 – Navajo Basket “Chief Blanket”
Honorable Mention                                                        Sally Black #006 – Yei figure (red/grey)

 

Pottery
1st Place                                                                      Ida N. Sahmie #190 – Yei-bi-chei (day chant)
2nd Place                                                                     Lorraine Yazzie #081 – 4 stages of a woman’s life
Honorable Mention                                                        David Wilson #131 Small drum pot

Fiber Arts
1st Place                                                                      Geneva Shabi #377 – Wide Ruins style
2nd Place                                                                     Amy N. Begay #142 – “My Goats” tufted rug
Honorable Mention                                                        Virginia Y. Ballenger #159 – Navajo velvet dress w/ Turq. Stones

Special Award                                                               Etta C. Peacock #148 – “Yei Sandpainting” rug
Sculpture
1st Place                                                                      Oreland C. Joe #044 – Midnight Shuffle
2nd Place                                                                     Alvin Marshall #121 – Changing Woman
Honorable Mention                                                        Julius Keyonnie #027 – Grandma’s Blessing

Special Award                                                               Curtis Begay #039 – Metal Sculpture

 

Diverse Arts
1st Place                                                                      Fritz J. Casuse #168 – “A song and a prayer for Mother Earth”
2nd Place                                                                     Shawana Goodluck #380 – Earring, necklace & bracelet set
Honorable Mention                                                        Genevieve Hardy #178 – Grey Camisole textile

Special Award                                                               Wanesia Misquadace #199 – “Sunny Boy”

 

Cultural Arts
1st Place                                                                      Leonard Gene #113 – Concho belt
2nd Place                                                                     Tom D. Tsosie#171 – Yei Bi Chei sculpture
Honorable Mention                                                        Matt Tafoya #1 -“Monster Slayer Yazhi” (hat, bow, arrow set)

Special Award                                                               Lester Ortiz #183 – Silver Arrow w/stone, wooden juniper stand

 

Photography
1st Place                                                                      Lionel J. Bigthumb #040 – “Everything is Life”
2nd Place                                                                     Lionel J. Bigthumb #040 – “Uprise”
Honorable Mention                                                        Amber Gene #114 – “Boys Will Be Boys”

Special Award                                                               Leslie J. Nelson Sr. #041 – “Quiet Meadow”

 

SENIOR DIVISIONS: (65 & Older)

S-2D – Male
1st Place                                                                      Art Nakaidinae #365 – Water for Mother Earth
2nd Place                                                                     Art Nakaidinae #365 -That One’s mine “Frybread”
Honorable Mention                                                        Eddie Tsosie #022 – “Recent Storm”

Special Award                                                               Chester Kahn #177 – “Hasteen On the way to Ceremony”
S-3D – Male
1st Place                                                                      Jacob Livingston #301 – Eagle bolo
2nd Place                                                                     Jacob Livingston #301 -Coral buckle

 

S-2D – Female
1st Place                                                                      Salina Dale #084 – Two Grey Hills rug
2nd Place                                                                     Susie W. Begay #163 – Twill rug (red, white, blk)
Honorable Mention                                                        Leta T. John #053 – Child sash belt (red, green, white fringe)

S-3D – Female
2nd Place                                                                     Hazel M. Hardy #071 – the Four Seasons of Navajoland (set of 4)

 

YOUTH DIVISIONS: (12 to 17 years old)

Y-2D – Male
1st Place                                                                      Cristoff D. Keyonnie #026 – Sheep Camp
2nd Place                                                                     Cristoff D. Keyonnie #026 – Summer Sunset
3rd Place                                                                       Dakota Skye #200 – Modern Warrior (ink drawing)

Honorable Mention                                                        Jacob Pina #086 -Otherside of the Road

Y-3D – Male
2nd Place                                                                     Atsatsa’ Antonio #374 – Redwood Knife handle
3rd Place                                                                       Atsatsa’ Antonio #374 – Bois D’are wood handle

 

Y-2D – Female
1st Place                                                                      Alyssia Bahe #078 – “Masani’s Flower”
2nd Place                                                                     Elle Claw #056 -“Butterfly in Forest”
3rd Place                                                                       Valencia F. Begay #101 – Pencil drawing

Special Award                                                               Amber Racheal Jessica Lansing #109 – Desert Arizona at Sunset”

 

Y-3D – Female
1st Place                                                                      Naomi Sky #202 – Colors of the Sky
2nd Place                                                                     Raven Y. Roy #136 – Boo! There’s Grandpa Horned Toad
3rd Place                                                                       Cori Kihibah Chavez #030 – Ladie’s ring (silver w/coral setting)

Honorable Mention                                                        Raven Y. Roy #136 – Bear Paw

CHILDREN DIVISIONS: (up to 11 years old)

C-2D – Boy
1st Place                                                                      Mosquadace’ Casuse #167 – “Colors Dancing”
2nd Place                                                                     Dominic Zahney #368 – “Tadi diin”
3rd Place                                                                       Dominic Zahney #368 – “Male Hogan”

Honorable Mention                                                        Brayden Yellowhorse #165 – “Tiger”

C-3D – Boy

1st Place                                                                      Hunter H. Roy #139 – “Hands like Grandma/Bear Paw” Pottery

C-2D – Girl
1st Place                                                                      Molena A. Begay #004 – “Moonscape”
2nd Place                                                                     Mya Rainy Sleuth #179 – “Thank You”
3rd Place                                                                       Nevrah Platerio #181 – Space Horse Headed Home

Honorable Mention                                                        Mia Autumn Baca #013 – Goldfish

C-3D – Girl

1st Place                                                                      Krystal Martin #123 – Rainbow Barrett (beadwork)
2nd Place                                                                     Sparrow Hawk L. Jones #137 – “Like Grandma” Pottery
3rd Place                                                                       Dakota G. Roy #138 – “Corn Smudge Bowl” Pottery

 

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Fine Arts Competition! Over $50.000 in Awards

August 24, 2012 by

Fine Arts Competition

At the 66th Annual Navajo Nation Fair

Sponsored by Fire Rock Navajo Casino

September 3 – 9, 2012

Window Rock, Arizona 

Over $50.000 in Awards

Nozhoni Fine Arts Competition

AWARDS & CATEGORIES

2 Entries per Artist

Best of Show Award

President’s Choice Award

Vice-President’s Choice Award

Legendary Award

Horizon Award

ADULT DIVISIONS

Paintings, Drawings & Graphics Category

Jewelry Category

Basket Category

Pottery Category

Fiber Arts Category

Sculpture Category

Diverse Arts Category

Cultural Arts NEW Category

Photography NEW Category

Awards for:

1st Place

2nd Place

Honorable Mention

YOUTH DIVISIONS (12 to 17 years old)

Y-2D Category

Y-3D Category

Awards for:

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Honorable Mention

CHILDREN DIVISIONS (up to 11 years old)

Y-2D Category

Y-3D Category

Awards for:

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Honorable Mention

SENIOR DIVISIONS (65 & Older)

S-2D Category

S-3D Category

Awards for:

1st Place

2nd Place

Honorable Mention

Fine Arts Competition RULES & REGULATIONS

The FAC/NAM Committee will be accepting Art for Fine Art Competition on August 30th & 31st, 2012,  from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Gorman Hall on the Navajo Nation Fair grounds.

All work must be handmade by the artist within One Year Period of September 2012.  The art to be related to the artist’s tribal affiliation.

Eligibility & Tribal Verification
Artists are required to provide Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) and Drivers License verification for age division.

Art Delivery
Each Artist Allowed Two Art Pieces for the Fine Arts Competition.  The artist to deliver art on August 30 & 31, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Gorman Hall on the Navajo Nation fair grounds.  The Navajo Nation Museum staff will be available to accept entries.  NO entries will be accepted after 4:00 pm.

Best of Show Winner
A booth will be provided for the winner of Best of Show.  The artist will need to be present at the booth that should to remain open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am. to 8:00 pm. & on Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Nizhoni Arts Market Booths
Artists who have NAM booth will have their art returned after judging to display & sell at their booth.  However, top winners art work will remain on display in the Fine Art Competition Gallery.

Consignment Fee
Consignment art sale fee15% for art sold at the NNFAC to made payable to NNF FAC.

Premium Prize Awards
Premium payouts by FAC Coordinator to be made on the following days: Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 2pm – 4pm.  Prize awards not claimed will be forfeited by 5 pm on September 14, 2012.

Artist Portrait & Photographs of Art
Artists and art will be photographed for winning categories. The photographs will be utilized for publicity purposes to promote the Navajo Nation Fair and the NAM.

Fine Art Competition Judging
Fine Art judging to be held on September 1, 2012. Results to remain confidential until VIP & Media reception on Wednesday, September 6, 2012.

VIP & Media Preview
VIP & Media only preview on Wednesday, September 5, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

Artifacts & Ceremonial Objects
Absolutely no item(s) will be accepted if suspected to be of prehistoric or culturally sensitive artifacts is ruled by the museum staff.   The use of materials, such as raptor feathers or endangered species is prohibited.

Jewelry
Traditional, contemporary and evolving jewelry. No false representation of materials or origins will be tolerated.

Pottery
Commercially produced pottery, slip molds, or green ware are strictly prohibited.  Contemporary pottery forms are acceptable.  Hand coiled or wheel thrown are acceptable.

Basketry
Traditional & contemporary basketry made of natural fibers and the use of natural and aniline dyes are acceptable.

Paintings, Drawings, Graphics – 2D
Paintings, drawings and graphics MUST be framed and ready for hanging or will not be hung for display.

Photography
Photography MUST be framed and ready for hanging or will not be hung for display or will not be hung for display.

Children & Youth Art
Framed or matted & shrink wrapped with proper hanging for display or will not be hung for display.

Clothing Apparel
Provide mannequin and proper hanging devices for display or item(s) will not be hung for display.

Display for Show
Proper hanging or display devices to be brought in with art for display.  The FAC/NAM committee has the option to hang or not due to space or inadequate hanging device.

Fiber Arts
Textiles, blankets, belts and purses must be handmade and woven within One Year Period of September 2012 and entered by the weaver.  All natural yarns and dyes are acceptable.  Synthetic or acrylic yarn must be properly labeled. To include textiles, sash belts, traditional/contemporary clothing and all weavings. Sewing machine and hand stitched work is acceptable for all clothing.

Sculptures
Stone, bronze and other metals are acceptable.

Dolls/Carvings
Dolls in traditional categories must use materials historically associated with its native culture.  Artists are not to display dolls of tribes other than their own tribal affiliation.

Bead, Quill & Leather
Plastic beads or “bead stringers” and commercial tanned hide are allowed.

Diverse Arts A category to recognize artist’s unique contemporary and multi-media work.

Cultural Arts
A category to recognize artist’s work within their tribal traditions and utilize elements and components, handmade by the artist.  Such items are personal attire, accessories, dolls, figurative, and functional objects such as; bows,  arrows, cradle boards, boxes, knives, shields, furniture, lamps, beaded bottles, bandolier, bags, pipes, hide paintings and musical instruments such as drums, flutes, violins, etc.

Disqualification & Display
Art items that are identified as problematic due to the creation within a One Year Period of September 2012, and/or made by another artist will not be displayed and no award will be given.

Art Release/Check Out
No Early Art Check Out!  Art to be released ONLY to person with claim tag on Sunday, September 9th from 11am at Gorman Hall.

Liability
The Navajo Nation Museum and all programs will not be responsible or
Liable for any lost, stolen art and injuries or accidents on Navajo Nation property.

Contacts
Clarenda Begay at (929) 592-2813 or Char Kruger at (928) 810-8536 or at

Filed Under: Navajo Art Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nizhoni Arts Market 2012

August 8, 2012 by

Nizhoni Arts Market  

At the 66th Annual 
September 6 – 9, 2012

Nizhoni Arts Market 2012

Nizhoni Arts Market 2012
Photo by Harold Carey Jr

Hózhó Náhásdlíí’-Harmony in the Making
Our mission is to achieve Hózhó through contemporary and traditional exhibits, program, tours; to promote our Diné culture, language, history and sovereignty.

ARTIST VENDOR INFORMATION
Clarenda Begay, Coordinator
Cell # (928) 592-2813

Welcome to the 3nd Annual Nizhoni Arts Market at the Navajo Nation Fair. The Nizhoni Arts Market to Feature “World Class” Authentic Arts by Renowned and Up & Coming Navajo Artisans.

Gorman Hall: Indoor set-up on Thursday, September 6, 2012, from 8:00 am. to 10:00 am

Early Booth Registration: 10×10’ booth space with 1 – 6’ x 2’ ½” table and 2 chairs. Early Booth Registration fee $250.00 through August 17, 2012, thereafter the booth fee is $300.00 till the booths are filled. Vendors are responsible for reporting sales tax (4%) to the Navajo Nation Tax Commission for further information call (928) 871-6681.

Market Hours:
Thursday, September 6, 2012 – 10:00 to 5:00 pm
Friday, September 7, 2012 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 8, 2012 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, September 9, 2012 – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sharing of Booth: Optional! You are allowed to share a booth with one other artist. Return the Sharing Artist’s Application with Your Application.

Payment: Artist Mail Application and Money Order to (ABSOLUTELY NO Personal Checks will be Accepted)

Navajo Nation Museum
ATTN: NAM/Clarenda Begay
P.O. Box 1840,
Window Rock, Arizona 86515

Ms. Begay may also be contacted by email at Clarenda@navajonationmuseum.org or by cell at (928) 592-2813.
A receipt will be issued when payment is received.

Media: The Navajo Nation Museum advertises the market In the Native Peoples magazine, as well as local newspapers and radio stations. The museum staff has distributed information at the Heard Market and will have a non-profit booth at the Santa Fe Indian Market in August to promote the market.

Cancellation Policy: There will be no refunds due to cancellations for any reason. The NAM Coordinator reserves the right to reassign artist booth for the best interest of the NNM Nizhoni Arts Market due to artist cancellations or no-shows.

Proof of Tribal Verification: All artists are required to provide proof of identification to include Certification of Indian Blood (CIB) and Drivers License for age division.

Security: Security to be available at Gorman Hall beginning August 30th through September 9th.

Artist Reception: Thursday, September 6, 2012 – 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Location will be disclosed to Artists at Check-In.

Artist Booth Demonstration: Welcomed & Appreciated.

Quality Control: The NAM Coordinator and Museum Staff will be roving the booths for unacceptable arts for sale. You will be asked to remove the items of concern and a second verbal notification you will be asked to leave the premises with your art.

Navajo Transit Services: A chartered bus will be transporting buyers, collectors and tourist from the Navajo Nation Museum parking lot to main entrance at the Navajo Nation Fair, Gate #4 and return to the Navajo Nation Museum.

Artist Parking Area: Artists are encouraged to use Gate #2. One parking pass will be issued to the invited artist for Gate#2, near the Song & Dance arena. Bring a dolly to transfer your arts into Gorman Hall. Your passengers will have to pay a General entrance fee of $5.00 at the gate. Do not park vehicle along the midway or around or behind Gorman Hall.

Photographs: Photographs of artist and booths may be taken throughout the Nizhoni Arts Market for publicity purposes to promote the Nizhoni Arts Market and Navajo Nation Fair.

Trash: Trash bags will be provided daily for the vendors, Please flatten all cardboard boxes and put in dumpster located behind Gorman Hall. Booth space must be maintained in a clean and tidy manner.

Altercations: Any artist who is involved in any verbal or physical altercations will be asked to leave with their art and not permitted to return. The market is a drug free environment and no pets or firearms are permitted.

NIZHONI ARTS MARKET
RULES & REGULATIONS

TRADE MARK: The artists mark to appear on his/her workmanship is required on all art. All original works displayed must be designed and created by the invited artist or by artist sharing the booth space.

General: No imported, manufactured or mass produced items such as T-Shirts, mouse pads, coasters and magnets. Also, not acceptable are work produced with commercial kits, molds, patterns or prefabricated forms.

Artifacts & Ceremonial Objects: No imported, manufactured or mass produced items and no display of culturally sensitive artifacts. The committee will not allow any use of materials, such as raptors feathers or endangered species. Display or sale of ceremonial objects is strictly prohibited. The NAM Coordinator will request the removal of items.

Pottery: Commercially produced pottery, slip molds, or green ware are strictly prohibited. Contemporary pottery forms are acceptable. Hand coiled or wheel thrown are acceptable. Kiln-fired pots and pots made or decorated with commercial materials must be properly identified.

Jewelry: Traditional, contemporary and evolving jewelry. No false representation of materials or origins will be tolerated.

Paintings & Drawings: No wet canvases will be available for sale.

Prints: Only professional prints of high quality may be sold.

Weaving: Rugs, blankets, belts and purses must be handmade. All natural yarns and dyes are acceptable. Synthetic or acrylic yarn must be properly labeled. No productions made from commercial kits or patterns.

Textiles: Sewing machine work is acceptable. No commercially made clothing, liquid embroidery or products made from kits are allowed.

Dolls & Carvings: Dolls in traditional categories must use materials historically associated with its native culture. Artists are not to display dolls of tribes other than their own tribal affiliation.

Bead, Quill & Leather: No plastic pony beads or “Bead Stringers”. Commercially tanned hide work must be labeled.

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Four Corners Monument

July 3, 2012 by

The Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah) come together at one place.

Four Corners Monument -2 Here you can stand in four states at the same time.
Photo by Harold Carey Jr.

The monument is maintained as a tourist attraction by the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department.

The Four Corners region didn’t always have such a clear-cut divide. Part of Mexico until 1848, the area has since been home to countless squabbles over state lines.

The original marker erected in 1912 was a simple cement pad, but has since been redone in granite and brass. The Visitor Center is open year round, and features a Demonstration Center with Navajo artisans. Navajo vendors sell handmade jewelry, crafts and traditional Navajo foods nearby.

The monument was reconstruction in 2010. It consists of a granite disk embedded with a smaller bronze disk around the point, surrounded by smaller, appropriately located state seals and flags representing both the states and tribal nations of the area. Circling the point, with two words in each state, the disk reads, “Four states here meet in freedom under God.”

Four Corners Monument 3

Picnic tables and self-contained restrooms are available. Services and accommodations are very limited to small cafes, grocery stores and self-service gasoline stations within a 30 mile radius.

We recommend that you have plenty of water, food, snacks, hand wipes and extra toiletries when visiting. The area is very remote, no running water, no electricity, no telephones.

Admission $3.00 (all ages)
Open 7 am – 8 pm (June – Sept)
Open 8 am – 5 pm (Oct – May)
Four Corners Park: 928-871-6647

Four Corners Monument 1

There is a small visitor center, which is open year round. It features a Demonstration Center with Native American artisans. Vendors sell handmade jewelry, crafts and traditional foods nearby. Self-contained toilets are available.

Filed Under: Navajo Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Navajo Silversmith Making Jewelry

June 9, 2012 by
Navajo silversmith making jewelry in New Mexico

Navajo silversmith making jewelry in New Mexico

 

Publisher: Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico
Date Original ca. 1920-1940

Filed Under: Navajo Photos Tagged With: ,

Navajo Jewelry and Silversmiths

November 12, 2009 by

Among the Navajo Indians there are many smiths, who sometimes forge iron and brass, but who work chiefly in silver. When and how the art of working metals was introduced among them I have not been able to determine; but there are many reasons for supposing that they have long possessed it; many believe that they are not indebted to the Europeans for it. Doubtless the tools obtained from American and Mexican traders have influenced their art.

Portrait of Navajo Silversmith Bai-De-Schluch-A-Ichin (Slender Silversmith) in Native Dress with Silver Necklaces, Concho Belts, Tools and Army Saddle Bag 1883 - Creator: Wittick, George BenPortrait of Navajo Silversmith Bai-De-Schluch-A-Ichin (Slender Silversmith)
in Native Dress with Silver Necklaces, Concho Belts, Tools and Army Saddle Bag
1883 – Creator: Wittick, George Ben

Old white residents of the Navajo country tell me that the art has improved greatly within their recollection; that the ornaments made fifteen years ago do not compare favorably with those made at the present time; and they attribute this change largely to the recent introduction of fine files and emery-paper. At the time of the Conquest the so-called civilized tribes of Mexico had attained considerable skill in the working of metal, and it has been inferred that in the same period the sedentary tribes of New Mexico also wrought at the forge. From either of these sources the first smiths among the Navajos may have learned their trade; but those who have seen the beautiful gold ornaments made by the rude Indians of British Columbia and Alaska, many of whom are allied in language to the Navajos, may doubt that the latter derived their art from a people higher in culture than themselves.

The appliances and processes of the smith are much the same among the Navajos as among the Pueblo Indians. But the Pueblo artisan, living in a spacious house, builds a permanent forge on a frame at such a height that he can work standing, while his less fortunate Navajo confrere  dwelling in a low hut or shelter, which he may abandon any day, constructs a temporary forge on the ground in the manner hereafter described. Notwithstanding the greater disadvantages under which the latter labors, the ornaments made by his hand are generally conceded to be equal or even superior to those made by the Pueblo Indian.

A large majority of these savage smiths make only such simple articles as buttons, rosettes, and bracelets; those who make the more elaborate articles, such as powder-chargers, round beads , tobacco cases, belts, and bridle ornaments are few. Tobacco cases, made in the shape of an army canteen, such as that represented in , are made by only three or four men in the tribe, and the design is of very recent origin.

Navajo People Website Links:
Navajo Culture – Navajo History – Navajo Art – Navajo Clothing Navajo Pictures – Navajo Rugs – Navajo Language – Navajo Jewelry – Navajo Code Talker – Navajo Pottery – Navajo Legends – Hogan’s – Sand Painting – Navajo Food – Navajo News – Navajo Nation

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