Dream big: Painting Weaving

Shania Homer

NCA197 Navajo Cultural Arts Practicum Student, Weaver

Yá'át'ééh! Hello my name is Shania Homer and I am painter who is now learning how to weave! My 1st clan is bitter water, 2nd clan is tangle, 3rd clan is zuni edge water, 4th clan is start of the red streak. I was born in Page Arizona and was raised in Cedar Ridge Arizona. I’m 20 years old and a freshman student at Diné College. The first class I took at Diné College was Navajo rug weaving last spring. I liked it so much that I’m now currently enrolled in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate, emphasizing in weaving.  

This is me holding up a painting I did while taking this class.

Our classes started off with a virtual SWAIA Scavenger Hunt. But the other activities we did in this class were also fun. I learned how to write my Artist statement and Artist biography and how to take photos of not only my weavings but also my paintings. And I liked that I got to  learn new information that I never took the time to learn in high school - for example - I got to interview my grandma about her knowledge of weaving! There is so much to learn from our own families!

Also, I loved getting a chance to see my classmates' artwork.  They really amazed me because we choose different topics, weaving, moccasin making, silversmithing. It was neat because I got to see different forms at art like when I got to the local flea market in Tuba City. And I missed the flea market during the pandemic!

​As a painter and I have a background knowledge of weaving. Dr. Ami, my instructor, worked with me so that I could also showcase my painting too. But not just any paintings. She encouraged me to paint weaving scenes. I got to do 2 paintings about a Navajo rug weaver. I felt happy and I even got to show my paintings to my grandma which see love the painting. I posted those paintings on to my Facebook and got to see my family/friends comment so many nice things about my artwork. So, I can say that taking pictures for week 6 was my favorite activity. I learned about lighting, spacing, and equipment. ​

My first two weavings.

For those thinking about learning our our Navajo cultural arts, here is my advice - try your best and don’t give up. Try weaving, silversmith, basket making, etc. You never know how much you will like taking that class. I, myself, I tried weaving for the first time and I had fun. I learned how to weave 2 beautiful rug they may not be prefect but trying is the key to success. And if you find a class that you really like - keep going and see where that takes you.