NCAP Blog

NCAP
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Academic Programs
    • Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate
    • Navajo Cultural Arts BFA
    • Navajo Cultural Arts Dual Credit
    • Indigenous Visionaries
    • Apprenticeship Program
  • Community Outreach
    • Exhibits
    • Workshop Series
    • Conversation Series
    • Language Series
    • Radio Series
  • Events
  • Newsletter
  • Online Resources
  • People
  • Contact

Have You Heard? – A Trip to the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market

3/28/2017

1 Comment

 
A Posting by Heather Williams, Emerging Artisan
​Ya’at’eeh (Hello). My name is Heather Williams and I was born and raised in Lukachukai, AZ. And after graduating from Cornell University, this is where I have chosen to return, to live with my parents and four siblings. I am currently an artisan in the Navajo Cultural Arts Program at Diné College. As part of the 2nd Cohort, I am learning the ins and outs of Navajo rug weaving. Several of my grandmothers and great grandmothers before me were excellent rug weavers and I wanted to learn how to weave so that I can continue the family tradition. So joining NCAP was a wonderful opportunity to help me learn this unique skill and reconnect with my weaving genes. 
Picture
The first rug I wove.
In addition to exploring my family traditions, my NCAP peers and I have the privilege to learn from well-known artisans, explore museums, attend events to network with other creative individuals, and acquire a great wealth of knowledge about our specific emphasis area (weaving, moccasin making, and silversmith). 

​​One event that was particularly enlightening was the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market in Phoenix, AZ, which included the Best of Show Reception. This was a new experience for all of us, especially for me. I would never have thought that I would be an artisan, let alone one who would be attending art receptions and markets to find inspiration. But there I was, in the midst of talents whose careers would be changed with the earning of ribbons at this event.
Picture
Group picture taken during the Best of Show reception.
The Best of Show Reception was swanky, complete with a lighted plaza, catered buffet, “Follow the Threads” Fashion Show, silent auction and of course the juried competition results. Dressed to the nines, the attendees sported heels, button up shirts, ties, and even some traditional Native dresses. All focus was on the dinner when we first arrived. After we ate, we began to make our way through the many beautiful and creative art pieces that won ribbons in various categories. A few of my favorites pieces included the Blue Bird Flour basket, a quilt that was dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, the Mica Spirit Bowl that had spirals leading up to the opening, and a four-in-one brightly colored rug. Finally, we perused through the silent auction, which consisted of jewelry, pottery, and paintings. These silent auction pieces were going for hundreds and even thousands of dollars. I didn’t make any bids this time – maybe next time ;)
​The following day was the commencement of the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market. This event was jam-packed with performances, demonstrations, book signings, and the arts market. I spent most of my day looking through all the booths that featured Native artists and their artwork. With over 600 artists, it took all day to walk through each one of their displays. I saw countless pieces of innovatively designed jewelry, baskets, beadwork, carvings, paintings, personal attire, pottery, sculptures, and textiles. While the majority of the artists were silversmiths, I thought it was neat to see that each of them had their own style and designs. Along the way I made sure to check out the Navajo rugs. There was a variety of pictorial, twill, and traditional weavings. I was mostly fascinated with the pictorial ones. I was intrigued by their techniques and spent my time trying to figure out their processes.
When you’re at a well-populated event like this, with many Navajos in attendance, it was only a matter of time before I ran into a familiar face. Not only did I visit with a couple of relatives, some from Tohatchi and others from Tsaile, but I also found a friend who was selling her jewelry alongside her father.

Overall, this trip was fun, eye opening, and inspiring. It was fun walking from booth to booth, hearing artists talk about their work, and making a name for themselves. This was eye opening in the sense that there are so many talented Native artists and they are really good at their crafts. I left the event inspired, in hopes that one day I too will be selling my weavings at events like this.
1 Comment
DWilliams
10/10/2017 03:06:18 pm

nice story, i liked the use of the word "swanky"

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Apprenticeship Program
    Basket Making
    Certificate Program
    Dual Credit
    Emerging Artisan
    Ephraim Anderson
    Harry Walters
    Holistic Well Being
    Indigenous Visionaries
    Lyndon Tsosie
    Moccasin Making
    Navajo Cultural Arts Week
    Navajo Weaving BFA
    NCAP Intern
    NCAP Staff
    Peyote Fans
    Sewing
    Silversmithing
    Sue V. Begay
    TahNibaa Naataanii
    Tammy Martin
    Valene Hatathlie
    Weaving

    Archives

    October 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

Socials

        ALL PHOTOS IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. PHOTO IMAGES USE IS SUBJECT TO PERMISSION BY THE NAVAJO CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM. NO FORM OF REPRODUCTION IS PERMITTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE NAVAJO CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM. 

Featured Pages

Academic Programs
Community Outreach
Blog
Contact
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Academic Programs
    • Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate
    • Navajo Cultural Arts BFA
    • Navajo Cultural Arts Dual Credit
    • Indigenous Visionaries
    • Apprenticeship Program
  • Community Outreach
    • Exhibits
    • Workshop Series
    • Conversation Series
    • Language Series
    • Radio Series
  • Events
  • Newsletter
  • Online Resources
  • People
  • Contact