Cortez, CO I came straight to Cortez when Jennie Slick and I returned from our Boston workshop to attend the Southwest Traders Rendezvous. This event is sponsored by the Cortez Cultural Center and provides a venue for traders to discuss their stories and the past, present and future of the trading business.  As you might imagine, there were some great stories and I’ll post some of those in the next few days.  I need to get back to Phoenix, but I thought I’d post a couple of quick pictures while I’m having a second cup of coffee here in Cortez.

The picture below is a group photo of many of the traders and their families.  I’ll try to identify the people that I know and I’ll fill in the details on the others as I get them.  First row from left, Camy Begay, Kira Simpson, Grange Simpson, Georgia Kennedy Simpson, John W. Simpson, Minnie Malone, Bill Malone, Steve Getzweiller.  Second row from left: Clarenda Begay, Steve Simpson, John D. Kennedy, Claudia Blair, Mrs. Steve Hassler, unidentified, unidentified, Virginia Burnham.  Third row from left: Harold Burnham, Jim Blair, Vonda Blair Garland, Elijah Blair, Larry Tanner, Hank Blair, Larry Tanner, unknown, Bruce Burnham, Jeff Burnham.  Fouth row from left: unidentified, Joe Tanner, undentified, Steve Hassler, Mark Winter, Jackson Clarke II.

Yesterday, the Rendezvous concluded with a rug auction and I purchased a piece by 17 year old weaver Cheyenne Flatrock.  Cheyenne has combined some traditional elements in a fresh and contemporary way that I really like.  Here she is with the rug.

Cheyenne Flatrock with her contemporary weaving. That's an 1880's blanket in the background.