Sacred Hoop Trading

(Navajo Painter) Born on the Navajo Reservation in 1959, Al Bahe was one of nine children descended from the Salt Clan on his motheràs side and the Red Streaded People on his fatheràs side. He grew upwatching his mother weave rugs and attributes much of his talent and interest to her. Al set his sights early in his life on becoming an artist, motivated by his strong desire to draw and paint. He entered his work in both local and national shows during his school years in Monument Valley. These entries brought Al more than a dozen awards. Encouraged by Kent Jefferys, the art teacher at Kayenta High School in Monument Valley, Al continued to paint and experiment with his art. Completing high school in 1978, al joined the Marine Corps for a three-year tour of duty. He returned home in 1981 and resumed painting for the next two months. After hearing from a friend about the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Al enrolled, and was accepted. He graduated with an Associate of Fine Arts Degree in 1985. The experience of living and working with other artists at IAIA provided a strong motivation for Al to pursue art as a career. Al came away from Santa Fe with a strong desire to perfect and create his own style of painting. He took additional classes in art at Northern Arizona University (NAU). NAU professor Bruce Horn encouraged him to experiment with printmaking. The processes became a particular interest to Al, which he will pursue into the future. Working with his art has given Al a much greater appreciation for himself and his place within the traditional culture of his people. Although he lives and functions in modern society, his heart and mind are very much in the Way of Harmony. In recent years, Alàs work is commanding a much higher price on the market because of the limited availability of original art work by this outstanding young man. ''To speak my heart through my work is fine, but, it's still work and takes time to produce.'' Al is not afraid to experiment with forms and cultures of the native peoples of all of the Americas. Often his figures appear from a background that is somehow mysterious and spiritual. Extremely skilled and very sought after, Al Bahe is an artist who is expected to endure and prosper

(Navajo Painter) Benson Halwood was born in Keams Canyon, Arizona in 1963. He and his wife, Royetta are raising their three children Benson Jr., Quinnlynn, and Brandon in the sweeping beauty of the Navajo reservation. With vivid watercolor washes, Benson Halwood creates images of his home. Many o his paintings depict the everyday life around the Hogan, while others reach into the spirit world of the Yei Bei Chai. Using the two distinct styles of American Indian traditionalist and impressionist, Benson conveys to the viewer his strong sense of pride in work and his people. Bensonàs interests in art developed early and began to bloom as a young man attending Chinle High School. Although a student of contemporary Navajo art, Benson is largely self- taught. His love of art continues to lead him into the use of new media and to sculpting alabaster. Benson Halwood is a working artist, learning, growing, and expanding his vision. It is therefore not surprising that Bensonàs work is considered by many as among the most promising in the Indian art field today. His accomplishments include: Honorable Mention and Best in Division at Scottsdale All-Indian Day Fine Arts Competition, 1988; poster winner for 1988-89 Bien Muir Gallery, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Honorable Mention, 1989 Navajo Show, Flagstaff, Arizona; Navajo Nation Fair, 1989, 2nd place, Window Rock, Arizona; Colorado Indian Market, Denver, Colorado and Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial 1993, 2nd and 3rd place.

(Navajo Painter) Harrison Begay (Haskay Yahne Yah) is a living legend among Indian artist. His traditional flat, graphic art depicts the life, animals and religion of the Navajo people. He has been frequently copied but never equated. Haskay Yahne Yah, which translates into English from Navajo as ''Warrior who walks up to his enemy,'' was born on the Navajo Reservation at White Cone, Arizona on November 15, 1917. Begay's mother belonged to the Red Forehead Clan and his father adopted the Zuni Deer Clan. Begay's father was a relative of the legendary medicine man, Manuelito. His formal education began in 1927 at Ft. Wingate, New Mexico. In 1934 he attended the Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he completed his high school education. Here he met and studied under the well known Dorothy Dunn, whose influence is still evident. Begay entered the Army in 1942 shortly after Pearl Harbor. Like many other Indians in the service he was in the Signal Corps. He served with distinction throughout the Normandy Campaign and Iceland and Europe. Following his discharge from the Army, he divided his time painting at Parkhurst's in Santa Fe and Clay Lockett's in Tucson. This very productive period lasted until 1960. In the late 60's-early 70's he painted at Woodards in Gallup, New Mexico. During the post war years his art became a standard against which other artists were compared. His work found both national and international acclaim. Among his many awards were firsts at the Arizona State Fair, Gallup Ceremonial, the prestigious Philbrook in Tulsa and others over three decades. He was awarded the Palmes de Acadamiques by the French Government in 1954. His works hang in the Museum of Modern art in New York, nearly all museums that are devoted to the culture of the American Indian. These include the Heard Museum, the Museum of Northern Arizona, the University of Arizona, the Museum of the American Indian and many, many private collections. Begay has, for his entire life, supported himself and his family by his painting. He has permitted several of his works to be published as silkscreens and open issue reproductions on greeting cards, posters, note cards, etc. These served to further establish his reputation among Americans and Europeans who otherwise would have remained unacquainted with this master of contemporary Indian Art. It was not until early 1983 that arrangements were made between Wayne Anderson's Anasazi Gallery and Harrison to produce fine grade, limited edition print of his original work, ''Navajo Nativity.'' Harrison Begay's favorite medium is high quality water color with an acrylic base. This medium enables him to capture the soft pastel color of the Navajoàs domain. His subject matter is most often the way of life of his people. He paints weavers, shepherds and shepherdesses, children, animals, and native ceremonies such as the Squaw Dance'' (Social Dance) and the several varieties of the Yei Bei Chai (Spiritual dances). Begay has a wide and varied sense of humor presenting the satire of life around him as well as of himself. Recently, during an interview with an art historian for a magazine, he was asked why there were no grey hairs on his head? His response, with a wry grin, ''I've never had to work, alls I've ever done is paint.'' Harrison Begay is a quiet, gentle man. He is relaxed and unhurried, very typical of his people and their heritage. Although his talent has been unfairly exploited, he is not vindictive. Once when he discovered three forgeries of his work and name, all he did was change his signature. His is a true native talent. His work has commanded more printed space in Western Tomes than any other Indian artist. His influence on Indian painting style over the past 40 years has been second to none. Any collection of Native American Art is not complete without one of Begay's pieces.

(Acoma Potter) Loretta Garcia, ''U-Wi-Nit'', was born into the Acoma Pueblo in 1956. She was inspired and encouraged to learn the art of pottery making by her mother, Marie Torivio. Marie taught Loretta all the fundamentals of pottery making, the traditional way, from start to finish. She was also economically motivated to make her pottery. Loretta specializes in hand coiled traditional pottery. She gathers her clay from a sacred ground within the Acoma Pueblo. Loretta soaks the clay, cleans, sifts, mixes, hand coils, shapes, paints, and fires her pottery, the traditional way, outdoors, with pottery shards and manure. She hand coils many different shapes and sizes of pottery. Loretta says, ''I am proud to be able to continue the tradition, that my ancestors began many years ago. It brings peace to my mind knowing that I am contributing to their legacy.'' Loretta signs her pottery as: L. Garica, Acoma. Loretta is related to the following artists: Nelda Lucero (sister) and Leslie Garcia (daughter). Awards:

• New Mexico State Fair 2nd Place.

(Cochiti Potter) Pablo B. Quintana, ''Ke-Sto-We'' (one who carries arrows), was born in 1947 into the Cochiti Pueblo. He was inspired to become an artist by admiring his aunt, Helen Cordoero. Pablo observed her art with a keen eye and learned all her secrets to making her fascinating sculptures . Helen once made a figure of Santiago Quintana, who was Pablo's great-uncle that was envisioned as a great hunter , and this made Pablo want to be a part of traditional history. He learned all the fundamentals of making pottery sculptures at the age of 10. He was also inspired artistically to be able to express himself through his art. In High School he and an opportunity to attend a Prep School in New York City where he organized a one man show to allow the public to view his style or pencil drawings and acrylic paintings. It was a cultural shock for him being that he grew up in a small town. Living around the art which he was introduced to in New York City. Was also a great inspiration for him to continue his artistic endeavors. Pablo specializes in hand-made micacious clay sculptures, which include storytellers, angels, and nativities. He gathers all of his materials (natural clays) from the grounds within the Cochiti and Picuris Pueblos. He cleans, mixes, shapes, sands, paints, and fires the traditional way, outdoors, provided the weather permits. Pablo said, ''People say that its free to make my art, but it is not easy as the say, itàs difficult work, and I am honored to have been gifted with such a talent.'' Pablo can also paint on canvas, and he has turned some of his clay sculptures in bronze statues. Pablo signs his pottery as ''Pablo Quintana, Cochiti, NM. Pablo is related to the following artists. Liz Baca-Quintana(sister), Vangi Suina (niece), the famous Dena Suina(niece). Awards:

• Santa Fe Indian Market 1st Place
• Gallup Ceremonial Honorable Award
• Highlands University most innovative sculpture

Publications:

• Storytellers and Figurative Pottery

(Acoma Potter) Rachel is an outstanding potter. She makes large classic polychrome ollas with bold designs of parrots and deer with heartlines. Her work is quite popular among collectors. Acoma, Eagle Clan, active ca. 1948-present: traditional polychrome and fineline ollas, jars, bowls. Sometimes works with Florence and John Aragon. Born: October 27, 1938 Family:

• daughter of Lupe Aragon
• sister of Mary Trujillo, Florence Aragon
• aunt of John Aragon

Teacher: Lupe Aragon, her mother Exhibitions: 1985-present, Indian Market Favorite Designs: parrots, flowers, deer with heartlines, spirals Awards:

• 2nd, Indian Market, Santa Fe
• 1st, 2nd, New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque
• Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, Gallup

Galleries:

• Native American Collections, Denver, CO
• Rio Grande Wholesale, Inc., Palms Trading Co., Albuquerque

Publications:

• Indian Market Magazine 1985-2000
• Dillingham 1992:206-208
• Berger & Schiffer 2000:99