Navajo Cultural Arts Program
1 Circle DriveTsaile, AZ 86556
9287246878
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2021 Navajo Cultural Arts Week
4/19/2021 - 5/31/2021
Asdzaa Nizhoni
Willis Tsosie
Leatherwork
Willis is a graduating emerging artist in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program as well as a faculty in the Mathematics Division at Diné College. This hand-made women's tote bag is one of three designs that is made of high-quality chap leather, thirty-two hand made silver buttons, Navajo grandma scarf, and machine embroidery. the Asdzaa Nizhoni Collection is a tote bag that is fully handcrafted from the first cute and uses a pattern/sewing that reinforces the bag for strength and durability. It features an inside pocket perfect for the Navajo woman wearing their traditional attire at special events. 100% of the profit from this bag will be given to a Navajo non-profit organization.
Beating the Odds
Brent Toadlena
Leatherwork
Brent is an alumni of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and also teaches Navajo Cultural Arts Materials and Resources and Moccasin Making classes at Diné College. This pair of toddler size 8 moccasins was made with brain tanned deer hide, plant dyes (rabbit brush, rock lichen), white latigo soles and nickel silver concho buttons. Brent can also be contacted via his business facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AshkiiBida/
Beauty
Sue V. Begay
Weaving
Sue is an alumni of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and a current Navajo Weaving BFA student. This piece is a wedge weave - a style that was learned under the tutelage of Master Weaver, Tahnibaa Naataanii.
Bitsóóké
Aaron Begay
Weaving
Aaron Begay is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program. This piece is a double spun sashbelt with 100% commercial wool. Dimensions are 81.5 inch woven length x 4.25 inch width x 15 inch twisted fringe. Aaron can be contacted at his business facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ToKinWaterHouseDSW
Blue Bird
Nabahe Hill
Silversmithing
Nabahe is a Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Graduate and a current Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This 1.5oz tufa cast ring with custom Kingman stone inlay was created under the tutelage of Master Silversmith and CA408 instructor, Teddy Draper Jr,.
Brass Bracelet
Triston Black
Silversmithing
Triston is a Diné Studies BA graduate and currently an emerging artist in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program. This red brass, 16 gauge, straight stamping with pattern stamping was a base model for the silver one. Triston will be hosting a virtual stamped bracelet virtual workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Visit this facebook group link to request to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1192320627885377/
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Chʼééh digháhii
Tavian Nutlouis
Silversmithing
Tavian is a Navajo Cultural Arts Silversmithing BFA Dual Credit Student. Tavian is completing course work associated with his BFA degree while completing his high school degree at Navajo Pine High School. This sterling silver turtle bolo tie piece was created under the tutelage of Master Silversmith and CA208 instructor, Teddy Draper Jr. If you are interested in our Dual Credit Program, visit our dual credit information page: http://www.navajoculturalartsprogram.org/navajo-cultural-arts-dual-credit.html
Color Theory
Tamerra Martin
Weaving
Tammy is an alumni of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program and currently a Navajo Weaving BFA student. Tammy is also a fellow of the American Indian College Fund's Indigenous Visionaries Program. This wedge weave piece was an independent project, where Tammy explored new diagonal weaving techniques. Tammy will also be hosting a virtual felting workshop as part of the festivities of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please check out the following facebook group link to request to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/253555293078695/
Cotton Sashbelt Plant Hanger
Ilene Naegle
Weaving
Ilene is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program, one of the original four in our first cohort. Ilene also teaches weaving here at Diné College. Ilene learned how to make sashbelts under the tutelage of NCA206 instructor, Jonah Yazzie. This particular piece is 100% cotton, re-spun for durability. All of the material is all natural fibers, not synthetic (pot is not included upon purchase).
Covid Chono Chaos
Ephraim Anderson
Weaving
33 x 10 feet (L x W)
Ephraim is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and a current Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This 100% wool textile documents the mental rehabilitation I endured after two weeks of being bed ridden with COVID-19. The struggle to remember how to weave and perform the most mundane weaving tasks is documented in every link of black and white wool. It serves as a snap shot of the struggles of every person who suffered from the milder symptoms of COVID-19. Even after mastering the log cabin weave, I was still months away from being able to resume my traditional Navajo weaving, all of which left me feeling as if I were starting from scratch all over again.
Daan
Aaron Begay
Weaving
Aaron Begay is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program. This piece is a double spun sashbelt with 100% commercial wool. Dimensions are 48 woven length x 3/5 inch width x 15 inch twisted fringe. Aaron can be contacted at his business facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ToKinWaterHouseDSW
Daniel's Buckle
Delia Wauneka
Silversmithing
Delia is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and one of the original four in our first cohort! Delia received her BA in Navajo Psychology and has returned to Diné College and currently is a Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This 16 gauge stamped piece was made under the tutelage of Master Silversmith and CA108 Instructor, Lyndon Tsosie.
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Deconstruction of Thought
Nabahe Hill
Silversmithing
Nabahe is a Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Graduate and a current Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This 4.5oz tufa cast bracelet set with Old Lone Mountain Stone in a custom bezel was created under the tutelage of Master Silversmith and CA408 instructor, Teddy Draper Jr,.
DLW's Bracelet
Delia Wauneka
Silversmithing
Delia is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and one of the original four in our first cohort! Delia received her BA in Navajo Psychology and has returned to Diné College and currently is a Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This sterling silver bracelet is made with spiderweb stone.
Fire in the Brain
Nabahe Hill
Silversmithing
Nabahe is a Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Graduate and a current Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This 5.5oz tufa cast bracelet set with abstract design was created under the tutelage of Master Silversmith and CA408 instructor, Teddy Draper Jr.
For My Children: Our Robot
Brittany Greymountain
Weaving
Brittany is currently a CA105 weaving student, learning from instructor, master weaver, and Heard Museum Curator, Velma Craig. This weaving is created with hand spun wool warp and mill spun wool. The self (+) emits the brightest light from early morning to the end of night.
Heavy Clouds
Carlon P. Ami II
Silversmithing
Carlon is a Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate graduate, part of the original four artists in our first NCAP cohort! Carlon is currently a Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This sterling silver hollow form ring with natural Chinese turquoise inlay was inspired by course work with Master Silversmith and CA418 instructor, Teddy Draper, Jr.. The rings size is 8.25. More of Carlon's work is available at cpami.artspan.com
House of Rain
Ephraim Anderson
Weaving
42 x 66 inches (L x W)
Ephraim is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and a current Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. All over the Americas are oral traditions of people from all directions and going in all directions. The House of Rain is woven with historical Navajo interlocking twill technique, which the small diamond twill count common among older Pueblo and Navajo women's dresses and Navajo saddle blankets. A old technique that could conjecturally span from 900 CE to the end of the 13th century in the Colorado plateau but surviving after onl in belts and dresses of the historic period. This weaving is dedicated to those early women weavers and later joined by men that spread weaving all over the Americas to solidify the common heritage every culture shares with the Spider Woman and her partner. Part of a shared story of weaving lasting thousands of years, this piece is woven from 100% reservation grown Navajo Churro and dyed with modern dyes.
Jóhnaa'éí bí béésh dóó bidee' doo bíbíla' dį́ į́ 'ii ndaazigii (The heavy knife, spoon, and fork of the Sun)
Ryan Dodson
Silversmithing
Ryan is graduating from the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program this May. Under the tutelage of Master silversmith and NCA208 instructor, Lyndon Tsosie, Ryan crafted this Silverware set from 8- and 10-gauge sterling silver. The precious stones used for each include #8 Turquoise. The pieces were hand cut and hand shaped. The silverware set was created with the Sun in mind. In Diné Stories, the Sun is the father of the Hero Twins. He provides tools to his sons in preparation to fight the Nayee. This silverware set is what I envision is with the Sun’s tools. Ryan will be hosting a stamped ring making workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please visit the facebook page link provided here to request to join that group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/291800219004105/
Jokers Wild
Ephraim Anderson
Silversmithing
Ephraim is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and a current Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. Two years worth of silver scrap that was refined from 17 oz. to a working silvers ingot of 11 oz. Created with an outdoor self built kiln and poured to 16 mm. at 5.5. inches to red hot forged to 4 mm. and 6.5 inched and milled down to 2.5 mm (10 guage) and 7.5 inches at a weight of 9 oz. Stamped with batman and joker motifs to understand the madness of the Joker and creating your own silvers ingots. Worked like a 1930s Fred Harvey split shank bracelet and filed very minimally to preserve the finish, the bracelet shows minimum micro cracks and brilliant luster only created from the refining process. Jokers Wild is an avant-garde reinterpretation of classic Navajo silver jewelry.
Latsiní
Tavian Nutlouis
Silversmithing
Tavian is a Navajo Cultural Arts Silversmithing BFA Dual Credit Student. This means that Tavian is taking course work associated with his BFA degree while completing his high school degree at Navajo Pine High School. This sterling silver bracelet was created under the tutelage of Master Silversmith and CA208 instructor, Teddy Draper Jr.
Lean on Me
Valene Hatathlie
Weaving
Valene will be graduating this May from the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program. She is also is a American Indian College Fund Indigenous Visionary Fellow. This twill rug represents protection, rejuvenation, and rain. It is mostly used for saddle blankets, but in this era many people sit at their desk to get work done and telecommute. So why not have this on your office chair to "Lean On" as you do your work. Valene will be hosting a Wool Processing Workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Check out the facebook group if you are interested! https://www.facebook.com/groups/769910953956011/
My Shining Star Set
Delia Wauneka
Silversmithing
Delia is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and one of the original four in our first cohort! Delia received her BA in Navajo Psychology and has returned to Diné College and currently is a Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This 16 gauge squash blossom set with earring and rings was an independent project through the guidance of her family's silversmithing business.
Nahasdzáán, Niłch'i, Tó, doo Kǫ': Ałch'įį' adiddloohí
Ryan Dodson
Silversmithing
Ryan is graduating from the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program this May. Under the tutelage of Master silversmith and NCA108 instructor, Lyndon Tsosie, Ryan produced this 14-gauge sterling silver buckle. Soldered on the back is a round wire for the belt loop and a hook for the belt holes. The circle in the center represents all that is special in the world. The piece is hand stamped and hand shaped. The four elements are represented in each corner of the buckle.
Ryan will be hosting a stamped ring making workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please visit the facebook page link provided here to request to join that group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/291800219004105/
Nanise' bee alyaa': Making of Plants
Triston Black
Silversmithing
Triston is a Diné Studies BA graduate and currently an emerging artist in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program. This silverware set made under the direction of CA208 instructor and Master Silversmith, Lyndon Tsosie. Triston will be hosting a stamped bracelet virtual workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Visit this facebook group link to request to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1192320627885377/
Nanise': Traditional Plants
Triston Black
Sterling Silver
Triston is a Diné Studies BA graduate and currently an emerging artist in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program. This cup was made under the direction of CA208 Instructor and Master Silversmith, Lyndon Tsosie. Triston will be hosting a stamped bracelet virtual workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Visit this facebook group link to request to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1192320627885377/
New Horizon
Sue V. Begay
Weaving
Sue is an alumni of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and a current Navajo Weaving BFA student. This piece is a Coalmine style with raised outline.
No COVID-19 Blues
Tamerra Martin
Weaving
Tammy is an alumni of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and a current Navajo Weaving BFA student. Tammy is also a fellow of the American Indian College Fund's Indigenous Visionaries Program. This raised outline piece was created under the tutelage of CA415 instructor, Ilene Naegle. Tammy will also be hosting a virtual felting workshop as part of the festivities of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please check out the following facebook group link to request to join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/253555293078695/
Ready to Dance
Willis Tsosie
Leatherwork
Willis is a graduating emerging artist in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program as well as a faculty in the Mathematics Division at Diné College. This pair of ke'nitsaa'í (women's moccasins) is made with high quality suede, white latigo, and six hand-made silver buttons using a pattern/stitching style that is unique to the old days of moccasin making. The silver buttons were made specially for this pair of moccasins. These ke'nistaa'í were made guided by the teachings of longtime Navajo educator/historian, Mr. Harry Walters, who stressed the importance of correct measurements and care in cutting, and to use a stitching technique that assures strength and durability. Willis will also be hosting a virtual Navajo Bandolier Bag making working as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please check out this facebook link if you are interested in joining: https://www.facebook.com/groups/280844233510545/
Ripples
Carlon P. Ami II
Silversmithing
Carlon is a Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate graduate, part of the original four artists in our first NCAP cohort! Carlon is currently a Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This piece is a sterling silver graduated bead necklace with a tufa cast pendant inlaid with lapis lazulio. The beaded length is 21" with 6" extender. The pendant diameter is 2 5/8". More of Carlon's work is available at cpami.artspan.com
Sacred Lightening
Bryan Roessel
Silversmithing
Bryan is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program. This 103gram sterling silver tufa cast bracelet is a men's large. Additionally, all photos for this exhibit were taken by Bryan! For more of Bryan's work, visit his Instagram: theta_house_creations
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Sǫ́ biyaa' kin
Sam Slater
Silversmithing
Sam is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Program. He has also taught the NCA136 Navajo Cultural Arts Materials and Resources class here at Diné College. This inlay pendent was made as an independent project with sterling silver, natural Kingman birds-eye turquoise, natural Mediterranean coral, and Acoma jet.
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Strollin' with the Ancestors in Century 21
Brent Toadlena
Leatherwork
Brent is an alumni of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program and also teaches Navajo Cultural Arts Materials and Resources and Moccasin Making classes at Diné College. This pair of size 9 ke nitsaa' (Navajo women's moccasins) is made from rust colored suede, white latigo, and white deer hide. Brent can also be contacted via his business facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AshkiiBida/
Tall Man
Willis Tsosie
Leatherwork
Willis is a graduating emerging artist in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program as well as a faculty in the Mathematics Division at Diné College. This pair of k'énineezí (men's moccasins) is made with high-quality suede, white latigo, and ten hand made silver buttons. The k'énineezi was made guided by the teachings of longtime Navajo educator/historian, Mr. Harry Walters, who stressed the importance of correct measurements and care in cutting, and to use a stitching technique that assures strength and durability. Willis will also be hosting a virtual Navajo Bandolier Bag making working as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please check out this facebook link if you are interested in joining: https://www.facebook.com/groups/280844233510545/
Telecommute Protector
Valene Hatathlie
Weaving
Valene will be graduating this May from the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program. She is also is an American Indian College Fund Indigenous Visionary Fellow. This twill rug covers an office chair for professionals looking to work and provide a living from the trenches of their desk.
Valene will be hosting a Wool Processing Workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Check out the facebook group if you are interested! https://www.facebook.com/groups/769910953956011/
The Baby's Necklace
Carlon P. Ami II
Silversmithing
Carlon is a Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate graduate, part of the original four artists in our first NCAP cohort! Carlon is currently a Navajo Silversmithing BFA student. This piece is a sterling silver tufa cast pendant with 3.5 carat natural Ithaca Peak turquoise cabochon. The chain length is 14" and the pendant is 1 5/8" in width. More of Carlon's work is available at cpami.artspan.com
Tó doo iiná bee bąąh ha'íishashí (The Cup of Water and Life)
Ryan Dodson
Silversmithing
Ryan is graduating from the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program this May. Ryan made this 14-gauge Sterling Silver cup under the tutelage of Master silversmith and NCA208 instructor, Lyndon Tsosie. It includes handmade bezels and was hand stamped. The cup is the embodiment of water within our universe. With water held inside the cup the addition of the Sun, the Stars, and the Moon, this cup holds all that is sacred for us together in a continuous circular design. The crack on the earth stone represents the beauty in resilience. The cup has no beginning and no end like our universe. Each use has a responsibility to fill our own cups so we can thrive in the big universe. Ryan will be hosting a stamped ring making workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Please visit the facebook page link provided here to request to join that group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/291800219004105/
Traveler
Valene Hatathlie
Weaving
Valene will be graduating this May from the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program. She is also is an American Indian College Fund Indigenous Visionary Fellow. This blue and white twill blanket was her first ever saddle blanket. Nylon twine and wool fiber yarn were used to create this piece.
Valene will be hosting a Wool Processing Workshop as part of Navajo Cultural Arts Week. Check out the facebook group if you are interested: https://www.facebook.com/groups/769910953956011/
Wool Sashbelt Plant Hanger
Ilene Naegle
Weaving
Ilene is a graduate of the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program, one of the original four in our first cohort. Ilene also teaches weaving here at Diné College. Ilene learned how to make sashbelts under the tutelage of NCA206 instructor, Jonah Yazzie. This particular piece is 100% wool, re-spun for durability (pot is not included upon purchase).