Advanced Seminar Day 2, Visiting the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial

We had a wonderful full day of weaving in Window Rock. Several of the participants are working on patterns incorporating a design element that we have dubbed the Window Rock Wave. You can see the wave pattern in the piece Liz Munk is working in on the picture at right. The teal and pink wavy…

Read More

Advanced Weaving Seminar: Day 1

Today we began our second seminar for advanced weavers who use Navajo techniques. We’re in Window Rock at the Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital. This class is designed as a small (five student maximum class for weavers who are interested in extending their skills or researching aspects of Navajo technique.  This year’s group includes weavers…

Read More

It’s Up to Her: The Significance of Design Elements

Earlier this week, Warren Stromberg sent me the question below as part of a longer post. I’ve followed it with my answer, but both of us hope that this question stimulates more comment, especially from the weavers out there. “I am aware that authors ranging from Gladys Reichard to Kate Peck Kent have published comments…

Read More

58th Annual Navajo Arts and Culture Festival Scheduled for August 4th and 5th

For some reason, this event always sneaks up on me and I never get to attend. Every year, the Museum of Northern Arizona holds festivals of both Navajo and Hopi culture, and this weekend is the Navajo event. Morris Muskett, TahNiBaa Naataanii and Suzanne Harvey will be demonstrating weaving and there will be a showing…

Read More

Smoki Auction Review

320 or so rugs and 133 digital pictures later and the summer edition of the Smoki Museum Auction in Prescott, Arizona is history. There was a very large crowd and as is typical with this auction, many of the rugs sold are vintage pieces, some going back to the 1870’s. I bought two very badly…

Read More