Masters meet for the sixth year

Navajo artist Johnson Yazzie is one of the 28 masters exhibiting art at the Reunion of the Masters art show at the Gallup Cultural Center. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — They are, by definition, masters of various Navajo arts and crafts forms and some of the most well-known names in the industry.

For the sixth year in a row, the 28 masters of art, jewelry, pottery and weaving are holding their own show during Ceremonial week at the Gallup Cultural Center, showcasing their work and encouraging collectors and future masters to visit.

Collectively, they have won hundreds of awards all over the world, some of them at the Ceremonial. Their works are prized by museums and collectors.

And although they come hoping to sell their works, some of which are priced at $15,000 and more, their main reason for visiting Gallup is a simpler one they want to share some of their knowledge and inspire the next generation of artists, weavers and pottery makers.

There are also cheaper items, such as coffee mugs and smaller prints, for those with tight purse strings.

Each of the masters, said Baje Whitethorne Sr., a Navajo painter, has been successful in his or her line of work and are getting top-dollar for whatever they make.

What this means, said Irving Toddy, another Navajo artist, is that to become a member of the organization, an artist must be willing to give of their time and talent to help aspiring artists.

"It could be one day a year, five days or three months," he said. But to be a member of the Master's organization, this commitment is the number one requirement.

The creation of the organization came about some six years ago when Toddy, Whitethorne and Naveek, a Navajo silversmith from Pinetop, Ariz., began wondering who was inspiring the next generation of Navajo craftspeople.

The conclusion was that if the next generation was to be mentored, the best people to do this was those who have gone through the trials and tribulations of making it to the big-time in the competitive arts and crafts industry.

The group first went to the Ceremonial Association, asking to be a part of the annual event, but were turned down. Ceremonial officials at the time said they were afraid that the competing show would distract from the Ceremonial.

Toddy disagreed, saying he felt having the Reunion of the Masters may have attracted collectors and others to Gallup who may not have otherwise shown up for other Ceremonial events.

Toddy said the group then went to the Southwest Indian Foundation where officials immediately embraced the idea and established the event's home at the cultural center and agreed to supervise the art scholarship program.

Rhonda Ray, who coordinates the event for SWIF, said the partnership has been very successful for both groups.

SWIF and the artists, who contribute a portion of their sales during Ceremonial week to the fund, have raised more than $125,000 for scholarships that not only go to Native Americans but also to non-Native children who show promise.

SWIF also provides space at the cultural center to show off the children's art and in December hosts a show featuring the art of those who have received scholarships.

It began six years ago with 11 masters and now the group has grown to 28, all of whom have said at one time or another that one of the joys of being a master is the opportunity to come to Gallup during Ceremonial Week.

It's a time, said Toddy, when the masters 22 of whom will be at this year's event get a chance not only to meet with collectors and talk about their work but there is ample opportunity to sit with teenagers or younger children who may have already shown a hint of talent but haven't had the encouragement to take that next step.

"We have all done well in the business," said Whitethorne. "Now it's time to give some time back."

Other masters include: Julius Keyonnie (Navajo silversmith), Charlie Pratt (Navajo sculptor), Joe Maktima (Hopi painter), Myron Panteah (Zuni jeweler), Lawrence Namoki (Hopi potter), Tim Washburn (Navajo sculptor), Barbara Kitsmann Jenike (painter from Tohatchi), Elizabeth Whitethorne Benally (Navajo painter)

Clifford Brycelea (Navajo), Cliff Frague (Jemez sculptor), Vernon Haskie (Navajo jeweler), Oreland Joe (Navajo sculptor), Lorraine Black (Navajo basketweaver), Rick Charles (Navajo jeweler), Gina Gray (Osage painter), Jim Jackson (Klamath/Modoc sculptor), Anderson Kee (Navajo painter), Laughing Weavers (Navajo rug weaver), Alvin Marshall (Navajo), Wes Willie (Navajo monoprints), Joseph Jenike (Navajo painter), Patrick Scott (Navajo feather maker), David Lemon (sculptor), Gary Yazzie (Navajo sculpor and painter) and Ed Singer (Navajo painter).