(Flagstaff, Ariz.) April 25, 2014 – More than 200 vintage and contemporary Navajo weavings from artists, consigners and the R.B. Burnham & Co. Trading Post will be featured at the 2014 Navajo Rug Auction Saturday, June 14 at the Museum of Northern Arizona, 3101 N. Fort Valley Road in Flagstaff. A public preview of all weavings is planned from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. The auction, presented by the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Flagstaff Arts Council, begins promptly at 2 p.m. and is free to the public. A portion of event proceeds benefits the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Flagstaff Arts Council.
R. B. Burnham & Co. Trading Post will lead the auction. The Burnham family, known for its encouragement of innovation and quality in Navajo textiles and expertise in buying, selling and trading, has earned the respect of area collectors and peers nationwide. Native art and Navajo weaving specialists will be on-site to identify handspun, hand-carded and vintage pieces, verses acrylic yarns, to ensure quality and prices. Guidance in evaluating and buying Navajo rugs, as well as detailed information on each auction item, also will be available. It is important to note that auctions allow weavers to obtain an immediate and higher return for their work. Among rug styles featured in the auction are Two Grey Hills, Ganado, Teec Nos Pos, Ye’ii, Pictorial, Wide Ruins, Storm, Sandpainting and Eyedazzler.
“The diversity of artists, styles and bidding opportunities make this rug auction a fantastic opportunity to purchase and collect high quality rugs at a wide range of prices,” said Robert Breunig, president and CEO of the Museum of Northern Arizona. “The beauty, intricacy and technical quality embedded by the artists into their creations make Navajo weavings one of the world’s great, classic art forms.”
“The Navajo Rug Auction is an important way for weavers from the Reservation to put their fine weavings in front of the community,” said John Tannous, executive director of the Flagstaff Arts Council. “People can learn about the many styles of weavings while directly supporting these incredible artists.”
Experts will view and select weavings for the auction at the Museum of Northern Arizona from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13. Artists and other consigners are invited to bring their Navajo weavings for consideration. Auction items can be purchased with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash and checks.
For more information, contact the Museum of Northern Arizona, 928.774.5213, musnaz.org; or contact the Flagstaff Arts Council, 928.779.2300, flagartscouncil.org.
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About the Museum of Northern Arizona: Our mission is to inspire a sense of love and responsibility for the beauty and diversity of the Colorado Plateau through collecting, studying, interpreting and preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Founded in 1928 by zoologist Dr. Harold S. Colton and artist Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, MNA was originally established as a repository for Native American artifacts and natural history specimens from the Colorado Plateau. Today, MNA offers more than 450 public programs annually, including exhibit and collection tours, a docent education program, the Discovery Program for children and teens, the adult education Ventures Program, a volunteer program, the Heritage Program art and cultural festivals, publications and a variety of lectures and forums. For more information, visit www.musnaz.org or call (928) 774-5213.
About the Flagstaff Arts Council: Established in 1999, Flagstaff Arts Council is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), organization that manages the Coconino Center for the Arts. The Arts Council provides opportunities for management development to local art and cultural organizations and develops programs and activities that support artistic, cultural and scientific endeavors for the community and its visitors.