Weavers and Their Stories
2009 Heard Museum Guild Indian Market: D.Y. Begay and Berdina Charley
D.Y. Begay’s sisters, Berdina and Berdine are getting serious about their weaving and brought some of their work to this year’s Indian Market. Berdina’s work, seen above in the two pieces in the left of the picture has strong graphic impact and a contemporary focus. Every time I look at the pictures, I find that…
Read More2009 Heard Museum Guild Indian Market: Part IV (TahNiiBaa Naataanii)
Every year, TahNiiBaa Naataanii seems to grow more proficient and creative as an artist and craftsperson. Each piece that she had displayed this year reflected a unique composition united by TahNiiBaa’s skill in the realization of her vision. She has been working with shaped weavings for several years and wore one of her creations as…
Read MoreOld Territorial Shop Weaving Show and Heard Museum Indian Market Weekend: Part I
This was a busy weekend in the Phoenix area for anyone interested in any kind of Native American art. The first event on the schedule was the Scottsdale Art Walk, a monthly event in the Old Town area. The Old Territorial Shop holds their annual Weaving Show during the Art Walk before the Heard Museum…
Read MoreSouthwest Indian Art Fair 2009
Tucson, AZ I spent yesterday (2/21/2009) at the Southwest Indian Art Fair, held on the grounds of the Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona in Tucson. The fair draws a large group of artists from the Southwest and beyond but is smaller and more accessible than the much larger Heard Museum Indian Market…
Read MoreThe Business of Navajo Weaving in a Down Economy
Several people have asked me how Navajo weavers are doing in this economic downturn. That’s not an easy question to answer because Navajo weaving is sold in several ways, each affected differently by economic conditions. Most Navajo weaving is sold as Native American craft work. Although this market has slowed, it has drawn strength from…
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