Museum Hill

I promised that I would catch up on the activities since moving over to Tesuque. I covered the Santuario de Chimayo trip and the next event was on Museum Hill. Native American artists from all over come to exhibit and sell their work. It is a big deal over a three day period. The plaza at the museum has several tents and exhibits of sculpture, painting, jewelry, clothing, and all of that wonderful creative work is displayed. The festival is titled "Native Treasures" and you will see why with the photos I am going to show you.

The mounted sherriff's possee (yes possee) patrols the parking areas.They ride horse and mules as well. I never imagined that in 2007 in the US, we would see members of a possee, but that is Santa Fe. It is the "City Different" after all and combines much of the past alongside our evolving civilization. It is a wonderful weekend.

Upton Ethelbah, Jr., a.k.a. Greyshoes, began working as a sculptor at the age of 54. Today, his award-winning sculptures are collectors' items. Ethelbah's first bronze, "Pueblo Corn Dancer," was judged best contemporary Native American art work at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center in 1999.
He is now working on a seven-foot high, three-ton Texas limestone sculpture representing Santa Clara Pueblo, which was commissioned for the Poeh Arts Center at Pojoaque Pueblo. Ethelbah works exclusively in stone: soapstone, limestone, alabaster, and marble. "My goal is to work in stone for the next 30 years. At some time in the future, because of age, I may need to roll over to wood or clay, but my goal is to continue to work in stone." After a lifelong career in education and social work, Ethelbah, a Viet Nam era veteran of the U.S. Navy, traded pen and paper for sculpting tools after a friend presented him with a chunk of red and green alabaster. In finding subject matter for his carvings, Ethelbah draws on his Apache and Pueblo heritage to create images that have Native American themes. Although he calls Santa Clara Pueblo home, Ethelbah now lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a 1961 graduate of Sandia high school, a 1971 graduate of the University of New Mexico and a 2000 graduate of the Poeh Arts Center. Ethelbah now serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), which produces the Santa Fe Indian Market.

Shane R. Hendren was born in the fall of 1970 in Gallup NM, 30 miles south of his hometown of Tohatchi on the Navajo Nation. As a three year old his mother observed his desire and ability to draw. He drew what he was surrounded by - horses, cattle, cowboys, and indigenous people. As he matured, Shane continued to draw, paint and explore any creative avenue that was available to him. Shane concentrated on art and agriculture while attending Moriarty High School at Moriarty NM. In the summer of 1987, the Marie Walsh Sharp Summer Art Institute at Colorado College, recognized his work and dedication to the arts, so he was selected to study and improve his skills at the institute.

Shane studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe NM, graduating with a degree in Museum Management. In 1991, the Governor of New Mexico, Bruce King, recognized Shane for his artistic and academic accomplishments at IAIA.

Shortly after graduation, his creativity, design skills, and sensitivity to the handling and display of art and artifacts was recognized by the Smithsonian Institute's Museum of the American Indian in New York City. Shane was contracted to assist in the installation of their very first exhibit. Upon returning to New Mexico, he completed the installation of the inaugural exhibit at the new IAIA Museum.

There were more than 120 artists exhibiting. I am looking forward to the Spanish Market and the Indian Market this summer!