IMPORTANT NOTICE:
For the health and safety of all of our artists, visitors, and staff, this year’s festivals have been postponed until 2021. We look forward to welcoming you back next year.
For opportunities to support those artists who would have participated in this year’s festival, please see the list below to support those artists directly.
Featured Artists
(In Alphabetical Order by Last Name)
Renee Archambeau (Hopi)
Use this as text. Renee Archambeau is a Hopi potter who has been crafting pottery for 30+ years. Her pottery is considered utilitarian and is made for both function and show. Renee digs and prepares her own clay, which then she shapes, fires, and paints, resulting in a functioning piece of pottery that is cherished by both the artist and the owner.
Arthur Batala (Hopi)
Born and raised on the Hopi in the village of Mishongnovi, Arthur Batala is one of Hopi’s most talented and revered jeweler. Learning overlay jewelry from Glenn Lucas, Arthur is well known for his precision cutting of Hopi overlay jewelry and finely detailed pieces, which can be found in many private and institutional collections around the world.
Nate Begay (Diné – Navajo)
Nate Begay is a Diné artist who lives and works in Flagstaff, Arizona. Nate incorporates the oral teachings he was taught as a child into his work. He has spent years developing his signature style, beginning as a graffiti artist and branching out into many different mediums, including photography and realism.
The result of his practices in multiple mediums is a beautiful contrast, traditional Navajo oral stories and symbolism infused with the bright, carefree colors and strokes of graffiti.
Nate presents his work at several shows around the region and nationally, usually with the Indigenous art collective, Art of the People.
Nate Begay is one of many artists who annually participate in MNA’s summer Heritage Festivals.
You can contact him at hiccup1725@gmail.com or on his Instagram @n8bee_art
Evelyn Begay (Diné – Navajo)
Evelyn started her textile work at a very young age, learning from her mother who was a community seamstress, creating garments from raw material. Today, Evelyn focuses on making traditional dresses and shirts for all genders, crafting them from silk, velvet and cotton. Evelyn also creates jewelry from precious stones and shells, usually adorned with metals significant to the Diné people.
You can order from Evelyn by emailing her at evelynm.begay@yahoo.com
Sylvia Begaye (Diné – Navajo)
Sylvia Begaye is a Diné (Navajo) artist from Fort Defiance, Arizona. She crafts small fabric doll ornaments that represent the Navajo styles of dress, hair, and jewelry. Her delicate piped-on jewelry emulates Navajo silver and turquoise jewelry.
Participating at many markets around the Southwest, Sylvia Begaye is well known for her homely figures that help adorn any space.
You can order and contact Sylvia at scbegaye2@gmail.com
Michael Billie (Diné – Navajo)
Michael Billie is a Dinè (Navajo) artist from Farmington, NM. Michael has been working in encaustic for a decade, a medium that involves melting wax and inlaying it within a piece of artwork. Michael also incorporates sand painting sand, beads and horse hairs into his work, materials that are typically used in ceremonies and other traditional events. In his work, Michael also features bundles, which he explains:
“The idea to include bundles in my work came when a friend told me about an old story between the Navajos and the Hopi that involved two sacred bundles. The Navajos had given two sacred bundles to the Hopi in exchange for helping in obtaining freedom from being imprisoned at Fort Sumner. According to the story the two bundles are still around and kept in two Hopi family homes. As part of the ritual, I bless each piece so it protects its new home.”
You can learn more about Michael Billie and inquire about owning one of his works at his website below:
https://www.michaelbillie.com/
Rena Charles (Diné – Navajo)
Rena Charles is a Diné (Navajo) artist from Cameron, Arizona. The eldest of nine children, she was raised in a traditional Navajo family.
Rena began making beaded necklaces on a loom in the early 90’s. Rena is well known for her rug pattern designs, which she incorporates into her necklaces. She uses a wider variety of colors, sizes, and shapes in the glass beads she chooses.
She has received blue ribbons from the Gallup Ceremonial and the Museum of Northern Arizona Navajo Show.
Aric Chopito (Zuni)
Aric Chopito is one of the few weavers practicing in Zuni Pueblo today. As a result, he strongly believes in perfecting his weaving techniques and passing on his knowledge to future generations.
You can contact Aric at: womendreams@msn.com
Colin Coonsis (Zuni)
Colin Coonsis, a jeweler of Zuni and Navajo descent has been creating jewelry for over 20 years. Using unconventional methods of jewelry making and using unconventional materials to conceptualize his craft has become the cornerstone of his work. He continues to innovate and evolve his work every day.
Colin has been featured at many markets around the country, including Santa Fe’s Indian Market, the Heard Museum, and the Museum Northern Arizona’s Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture. Colin’s work also resides in many private and institutional collections around the country.
You can shop for more of Colin’s work and contact him at his website here.
Alice Dashee (Hopi)
Alice Dashee is a renowned Hopi potter from Polacca, Arizona and is a member of the Eagle Clan. Pottery is a traditional art that has passed through her family with skills being passed down through the generations. Her work has won awards at various art shows and has been featured in both private and public collections around the world.
Vivian Descheny (Diné – Navajo)
Vivian Descheny is a Diné (Navajo) third-generation master weaver from Whitecone, Arizona. Vivian weaves traditional Navajo rugs in intricate and colorful designs, such as the Burntwater pattern. From the age of 10, she collected, carded, and spun her own wool from the family sheep. Influenced by her paternal grandmother, Annie B. Williams, Vivian uses many tools and techniques to weave her rugs. She also creates models of looms with partial weavings from natural materials collected on the Navajo Nation. Descheny is the owner of Southwest Weavers in Flagstaff, Arizona and has now been weaving for 30 years.
Vivian Descheny has amassed a large number of awards including awards from the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum and MNA’s Navajo Festival of Arts and Culture.
Any inquires for Vivian’s weavings can be made by emailing: vivian_descheny@yahoo.com or by visiting her Facebook Page.
Marvene Dawahoya (Hopi)
Marvene Dawahoya is a Hopi basket weaver and carver. Noted for his intricate baskets and delicate carvings, Marvene has been crafting his work from a young age, learning from various Hopi cultural members in his community.
Nuvadi Dawahoya (Hopi)
Nuvadi Dawahoya, from Hopi’s Second Mesa, began carving in 1995 and produces his work from cottonwood roots and a variety of sharp knives. The wood he carves is sanded smoothly and textured with a wood burner. He then seals and paints his work, adding dimension and texture to each of his pieces.
Nuvadi Dawahoya has amassed a large number of awards including awards from Indian Arts and Crafts Association show, the Santa Fe Indian Market, and the Albuquerque Indian Market. Coveted by collectors today, Nuvadi Dawahoya’s work is destined to appreciate in value in the future.
Dee Edaakie (Zuni)
Dee Edaakie is a member of the famous Edaakie family of jewelers, painters, and carvers in Zuni, New Mexico. DEE EDAAKIE carves in a new and innovative style making expressive and whimsical fetishes of bears, mountain lions, and badgers among other creatures. Having been influenced by Gibbs Otole along with other carvers in his generation, Dee’s stone selection and his fetish carvings appeal to young and older carvers alike.
To inquire about one of Dee’s carvings, please email dledaakie@gmail.com
Patty and Raylan Edaakie (Zuni)
Raylan and Patty Edaakie are a Zuni husband-and-wife team who specialize in lapidary work. Raylan and Patty collaborate on mosaic and channel inlay jewelry from their workshop in Zuni, New Mexico.
Their work can be found in private and institutional collections around the world.
To inquire about a piece of jewelry you can contact them at edaakieraylan@gmail.com
Tim Edaakie (Zuni)
Tim Edaakie is a potter from Zuni, New Mexico who has been participating in the annual Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture for many years. Tim Edaakie draws inspiration for his work from pot shards discovered in the prehistoric sites he visits around Zuni. Through trial and error, Tim attempts to revive shape and design seldoms found in the work of other Zuni potters.
“Each piece becomes a celebration of my cultural heritage and the blessings given to me by my ancestors”
Aaron Fredericks (Hopi)
Aaron J. Fredericks is a traditional carver from the village of Shungopavi at Second Mesa, Arizona. Aaron enjoys working on his dolls, and gets inspiration from his cultural heritage and traditional upbringing. His life at home also encourages him to explore various subjects and themes evident around the bases of his work.
Aaron has established his talents at various juried competitions including Santa Fe’s Indian Market, the Heard Museum’s Indian Art Show, and the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Hopi Show, where he has taken Best of Division on many occasions.
Any inquires for Aaron’s carvings can be made by emailing: ajf.tihu@gmail.com
Valarie Harris (Hopi)
Valarie Harris is a Hopi textile artist from Polacca, Arizona. Working with various fabrics and materials, Valarie produces clothing that parallels designs commonly found in the Hopi culture. Currently living on the reservation, Valerie has begun producing masks adorned with Hopi symbols and designs.
Jonah Hill (Hopi/Quechan)
Jonah Hill is a Hopi/Quechan multi-media artist specializing in wood carving, metal work, and printmaking. After attending the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jonah returned to Flagstaff to where he currently lives and works in his studio producing one of a kind pieces of art.
Jonah draws upon his traditional teachings and experience as a medicinal herbalist to create a form of art that he refers to as “Neo-traditional”. Using the elements of nature, he produces sterling silver jewelry, linoleum block prints, and wood carvings that connect viewers of his work to the deserts and rivers of the Colorado Plateau. Hill is also a river guide, an environmental educator and an ethnobotanist.
For any art inquires contact Jonah at jonahthesilversmith@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @Lomayoosidesigns
Watson Honanie (Hopi)
Watson Honanie creates jewelry of gold and silver overlay portraying Hopi culture and ceremonial life. Encouraged by two uncles, Porter Timecheand and the late Fred Kabotie, he began making jewelry at an early age. Some of Watson’s designs are adaptations from Pueblo pottery and Hopi kachinas.
You can find more of his available work here or contact Watson at watsonhonanie@yahoo.com
Lester Honanveama (Hopi)
Lester Honanveama is a Hopi artist from Moenkopi, Third Mesa, Arizona. He has been carving since the age of 14. Lester is a very traditional Hopi man and has deep respect for his culture and the belief system of the Hopi people. Lester has no favorites as far as carvings, he believes they are all important and he loves to share the significance of his work with everyone. He carves to preserve Hopi traditions and revitalize the knowledge of the Hopi people. Lester learned how to carve by watching and sitting with Watson and Delbridge Honanie, both noted carvers in Hopi. Lester works with his wife Kara Honanie, with Lester doing all the carving and Kara doing the beautiful painting.
Akema Honyumptewa (Hopi)
Ahkima Honyumptewa is a Hopi artist from the village of Paagvavi, in Third Mesa, Arizona. Starting his work when he was young, Ahkima has skillfully mastered the art of painting and weaving. Having showcased his artwork internationally, Ahkima’s work is recognized by collectors all over the world and has won multiple awards from various markets, including MNA’s Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture.
Email ahkima11@yahoo.com for any art inquires.
Marie Honyumptewa (Hopi)
Marie Honyumptewa is a Hopi artist from Bacavi, Arizona. She has been creating her beadwork since 2009, but first picked up beading when she was in grade school. Beading is not considered a traditional Hopi art form, but Marie decided to take a craft she was familiar with and incorporate Hopi symbols, such as her clan symbol.
Ramon Howato (Hopi)
Ramon Tahbo Howato a third-generation Hopi potter of the Tahbo family, whose pottery reflects the teachings of his uncle Mark Tahbo and mother Dianna Tahbo, both noted potters among their community. Ramon coil-builds his pottery and each piece is painted with natural clay slips and traditionally fired. Ramon has participated in shows throughout the southwest, including MNA’s Annual Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture.
Find more of Ramon’s work on his Facebook page below:
https://www.facebook.com/Ramon-Tahbo-Howato-Another-Generation-Of-A-Tahbo-Potter-348518112322347/
Robert Johnson (Diné – Navajo)
Robert Johnson is a Diné (Navajo) artist that started his career as a silversmith at the age of 14 as a buffer for his parent’s handmade sterling silver beads.
Robert met the late silversmith, Kirk Smith, known for his unique styles of antique finish repousse stamp work, during the summer of 1986. Kirk became a mentor for Robert and taught him the art of creating jewelry – traditional Navajo stamping with an antique finish, at times high polished pieces all of which started from bracelets, earrings, concho belts, rings, squash blossoms, hair tie’s and so forth. It was an exciting time of in his life – learning a new trade and being able to support his family.
Robert has enjoyed his work as a silversmith and has developed his own unique styles of Navajo Jewelry. Creating jewelry is his passion. His creations include handmade antique finished and sometimes high polished traditional and contemporary Navajo jewelry from squash blossoms to concho belts, earrings, bracelets/cuffs, rings and hair clips with sterling silver, turquoise and various gemstones.
You can find more of Johnsons work on his Instagram or by contacting him through his Facebook page
Yolanda Laate (Zuni)
Yolanda Laate is a Zuni artist from Zuni, New Mexico who works with various materials including sterling silver, turquoise, coral, and leather. Yolanda is known for her skill with inlay, a technique in which multiple stones are pieced together to form a single image. Colorful stones are cemented into channels created by soldering pieces of silver to a backing plate.
Kim Lohnes (Diné – Navajo)
Kim Lohnes is a Diné / Oglala beadwork artist from around the Grand Falls area of Leupp, Arizona. Lohnes’ creates her beadwork with inspiration from various Native groups throughout North America including Diné, Lakota and Ojibwe. Though focusing on creating beautiful designs, Kim is renowned for her leather shirts, which is made from scrap. In addition to leather shirts, Lohnes beads dresses, moccasins, belts, purses, earrings and bracelets. The leather she uses also holds special meaning in that many of the hides were gifts from friends throughout the U.S.
Gerald Lomaventewa (Hopi)
Hailing from Second Mesa, AZ, Gerald Lomaventema began producing traditional Hopi overlay styles in 2002 after taking classes at the Hopi Silvercraft Co-op Guild. He refined his technique with such mentors as Roy Talahaheftewa, Phil Naavasya, Duane Maktima and Steve LaRance. Utilizing traditional Hopi silver-working methods such as tufa casting and overlay, Gerald began creating highly recognizable textured, contemporary jewelry including bolo ties, belts, and pins with 14k gold accents and inlays of coral, ironwood, turquoise, and other precious and semi-precious stones.
Currently Gerald still enters pieces in shows across the United States and travels the world abroad often demonstrating his craft and educating people on the beauty of Hopi jewelry and culture. Already an established multi-award winning artist Gerald recently added to his honors by winning the prestigious 2014 SWAIA Best of Division award for his concho belt entry.
To inquire about a piece, you can email Gerald at lomaventema@hopitelecom.net
Andy Marion (Diné – Navajo)
A third-generation Navajo silversmith, Andy Marion works with raw silver and gold, brass, and copper to create one-of-a-kind jewelry. He has been a silversmith since the age of nine and won his first award when he was a teenager. He was taught by his father who is also a silversmith. Marion currently produces both traditional and contemporary designs.
You can inquire one of Andy’s pieces by emailing him at navajoandy54@hotmail.com
Curtis Naseyowma (Hopi)
Curtis Naseyowma is a Hopi artist who has been carving Katsina dolls for decades. Like most Hopi woodcarvers, he learned the skill from his father. Curtis carves his Katsina dolls from cottonwood tree roots that he unearths from the mountains in Northern Arizona. While working the moist wood, he uses a handsaw until a figure emerges—such as buffalo dancers. Then, using a smaller hand tool for detail work, Naseyowma chisels each strand of hair, along with the fine wisps of a feather. The carving process can take up to two weeks, after which the piece is cured with linseed oil and decorated with oil paints. While he makes traditional Katsinas for tribal ceremonial gifts, Naseyowma also fashions contemporary Katsinas to sell to art collectors and admirers at events such as the annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Market and the Museum of Northern Arizona’s annual Hopi Show of Arts and Culture.
You can inquire one of his pieces by emailing naseyowmac@yahoo.com
Matthew Neha (Zuni)
Matthew Neha is a Zuni artist who has been part of our show since he was 15 years old and continues to express his passion for Zuni culture through his work. His paintings depict the stories and origins of animals in the Zuni culture. Developing his talents through painting, Neha has also explored drawing mediums.
For any art inquires please contact Matthew at mattie.neha@gmail.com
Marchelle Qualo and Lawrence Laate (Zuni)
Marchelle Qualo and Lawrence Laate are a team of artists who specialize in making Zuni petti-point jewelry. Lawrence Laate specializes in crafting the sterling silver, where as Marchelle Qualo crafts the stone work. They have been working together for 28 years, attending many shows across the Southwest including MNA’s Annual Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture.
Marilyn Eldred Quam (Zuni)
Marilyn and Eldred Quam are a husband and wife team of Zuni carvers known for their small fetishes. Marilyn and Eldred are known and respected for their detailed carvings, representative of the Zuni culture, and have been featured at many shows and exhibitions throughout the Southwest. Eldred Quam’s siblings include Zuni Fetish carvers Andrew Quam, Prudencia Quam, Georgette Quam and Andres Quam.
Lynn Quam (Zuni)
Lynn Quam is a well-known Zuni carver, producing subjects of buffalo or bison fetishes made from malachite, turquoise, wild horse marble and Picasso marble. He adorns his buffalo pieces with horns sometimes made of fossilized ivory and turquoise. Lynn resides in Zuni Pueblo with his wife, Jayne Quam, who is a Navajo fetish carver who frequently collaborates with him.
Mallery Quetawki (Zuni)
Mallery Quetawki is from Zuni Pueblo and resides in both Zuni, NM and Albuquerque, NM. She is currently the Artist-in-Residence with the Community Environmental Health Program at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. Mallery has used art to translate scientific ideas, health impacts and research on uranium mines that are currently undergoing study in several Indigenous communities. Her work has been featured on National Institutes of Health websites and published in peer-reviewed journals on environmental health and academic medicine. Her latest piece in 2020 entitled, “Our Microflora” is on permanent display at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biological Engineering.
Other than painting Mallery, also creates her signature pinched pottery mouse figurines with whimsical characteristics and ancient designs. Mallery hopes to continue working at the intersections of art and public health.
Please email quetawki07@gmail.com for any art inquires, or follow her on Instagram at @m.quetawki.art
Gerry Quotskuyva (Hopi)
Gerry Quotskuyva is a member of the Bear Strap Clan from the Second Mesa Village of Shungopavi. His remarkable style of carving has been nationally recognized as some of the highest quality carvings from Hopi, and is represented in several museum collections around the world.
You can visit his website here.
Charlotte and Eldrick Seoutewa (Zuni)
Charlotte and Eldrick Seoutewa are a husband and wife team of Zuni jewelers known for their inlay and petit-point work, and are renowned for their intricate designed jewelry.
You can order one of their pieces by emailing
Virginia Shortman (Diné – Navajo)
Virginia has been making pottery since 1970, learning from her mom, who was also taught by her grandmother, Selena Williams. Virgina follows after the traditional techniques learned by her family to create wedding vases, pitchers, water jugs, bowls, and piggy banks. She uses all natural materials from start to finish, and fires her pottery with a homemade kiln.
You can contact Virginia by emailing her at shortmanvandean@gmail.com
Margia Simplicio (Zuni)
Margia Simplicio is a Zuni artist that works with glass beads to produce intricate figures, usually of animals. Margia has been producing beaded animals for over 30 years, a skill she learned from her parents.
For any art inquires please contact Margia at magisimplicio@gmail.com
Harold Stevens Jr. (Diné – Navajo)
Harold Stevens, Jr. is a Navajo contemporary jewelry artist, professional jewelry designer, and silversmith who uses a wide range of precious gemstones and natural minerals. His expertise lies in his hand cut stones and high detail inlay. Harold has over 30 years’ experience in stone cutting and is a true master in cutting and inlaying opal. He has done micro inlays in all sorts of collections from knife handles and one of a kind handles. For over twenty years his principal focus has been on jewelry rooted in his Navajo heritage, incorporating traditional iconography and a meticulous level of craftsmanship.
To inquire one of Harolds pieces you can email him at hsjr.12327@gmail.com
White Swann (Hopi)
White Swann is a noted Hopi potter who is part of the renowned Navasie family. She learned pottery making at an early age by watching her mother, Fawn Navasie, another renowned Hopi potter. White Swann is deeply committed to following the tradition of her grandmothers, following every step necessary to create her pieces. Her clay is hand dug and processed. The pottery is then coiled and fired outdoors with sheep dung. She uses yucca to make paint brushes, which she then uses to paint her intricate designs. Iron oxide rock is used for the maroon coloration, whereas the yellow clay provides the orange finish. She uses a polishing stone to polish her pottery that was passed down to her from her grandmother.
Swann has won numerous awards at many shows across the Southwest, including the Museum of Northern Arizona’s annual Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture.
To order one of her pieces of pottery, you can email her at white7swann@gmail.com
Eli Taylor (Hopi)
Eli Taylor is a Hopi artist known for his collector quality Kachina carvings and his use of cottonwood root as a medium.
“I select cottonwood roots carefully to match the Kachina I am going to carve, visualizing a completed carving inside the wood before I test my carving skills.”
Considered to be one of the top kachina carvers from the Hopi reservation, Eli has been showcased at many art markets including MNA’s Hopi Festival of Arts and Culture.
You can inquire one of Eli’s carvings by emailing tuyqawva@yahoo.com
Tracy Tohannie (Diné – Navajo)
Tracy Tohannie is a Diné (Navajo) artist from Tonalea, Arizona. Tracey’s subjects are derived from his childhood adventures and oral teachings that were told to him by his mother and grandmother. Through his pieces, Tracey explores the duality found within the the Navajo way of life.
You can inquire one of Tracy’s pieces by emailing tratohannie@yahoo.com
Lena Tsethlikia (Zuni)
Lena Tsethlikia is a Zuni inlaid artist who has been specializing in making jewelry since 1960. Learning from her parents, Lena has adopted and developed a unique style of crafting jewelry, desired by many collectors around the world.
To inquire about a piece, email Lena at ltsethlikia14@gmail.com
Featured Organizations
Art of the People
Art comes from the heart, and “Art of the People,” a collective of indigenous artists founded by Baje Whitethorne, Sr. and Bahe Whitethorne Jr. (Buddy), strives to share the heart story of Navajo religion, philosophy and way of life through live-painting demonstrations.
You can visit their page to find out more information:
A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center
Established in 1992 the A:shiwi A:wan Museum is dedicate to serve museum visitors with programing and exhibitions that help the Zuni world.
You can visit their Facebook page to find out more information:
https://www.facebook.com/Ashiwi-Awan-Museum-Heritage-Center-332821340826833/
Buddy Whitethorne Foundation
The Foundation honors the life and legacy of Navajo artist Buddy Whitethorne (1977-2018) through encouragement and support for young Native American careers in the arts. In addition to financial support, all recipients will receive mentoring from noted artists and organizations with significant profiles in the Native American Arts. Mentoring will include artistic applications as well as business fundamentals.
You can visit their page to find out more information:
Hopi Education Endowment Fund
The Hopi Education Endowment Fund grows and protects financial resources to provide every Hopi the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams to assure the future of the Hopi tribe. Investment in education allows every Hopi the opportunity to live the Hopi way of life, in the way they choose, in strong, self-sufficient, culturally rich communities.
Realizing the ever-growing need for educational funding, it is the job and mission of the Hopi Education Endowment Fund to continually raise funds on behalf of Hopi educational endeavors and this is accomplished through several ways including: Investments, Grants/Proposals and other fundraising activities.
You can support the Hopi Education Endowment Fund here:
Keshi: The Zuni Connection
The Hopi School
The Hopi School, is dedicated to developing an educational process derived from Hopi Indian philosophy, values and methods. Always before, Hopi students have been taught in schools using values, philosophy and methods designed for and derived from an outside culture.
You can visit their page to find out more information: