Artists, dancers, musicians, activities, and food from Navajoland – or Diné Bikéyah as the Navajo say – arrive in Flagstaff on Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8 for the 55th Annual Navajo Marketplace at the Museum of Northern Arizona. More than 50 artists representing today’s 250,000 Diné bring their fine art skills in painting, textiles, basketry, silverwork, pottery, and folk art to the marketplace. A collection of Navajo rugs provided by traders and trading posts throughout the Colorado Plateau also will be on display and for sale in MNA’s Fine Arts Gallery.
Miss Navajo, Code Talkers, and Honor Guard Ceremonies
Opening ceremonies begin 9 a.m. Saturday with a Navajo prayer and flag rising by Miss Navajo, Marla Billie, followed by Code Talkers and Honor Guard ceremonies.
Navajo Code Talkers, Dr. Samuel Billson from Window Rock and Samuel Tso from Lukachukai, honor veterans of World War II and exemplify the unequaled bravery and patriotism of the Navajo people. Both Billson and Tso are available throughout the marketplace to meet the public and sign copies of two books, Navajo Weapon and Warriors, Navajo Code Talkers.
Dancing, Talking, and Walking
From 9:30–10:15 a.m. delight to young entertainers, The Little Bitterwater Hoop Dancers, accompanied by the Antelope Trail Singers. Catch hoop dancing again from 10:15–11:00 a.m. with the Monument Valley Hoop Dancers.
Demonstrations and discussions include rug weaving by Marilou Schultz and the Bighorse family, basket making by Sally Black and Agnes Gray. Presenter Larry King walks the audience along a path of history while highlighting the resilience of The Navajo Language in the Twenty-First Century. Liz Williams discusses The Traditional Navajo Woman in Contemporary Times. The cultural significance of cradleboards and the objects on them is discussed by Tammy Begay and Ralph Jim, who run a cradleboard family business. And ethnobotany tours along the Rio de Flag are guided by educator Theresa Boone-Schuler.
Reggae, Hip Hop, and Folk Music
Each day from 3:30–4:15 p.m., enjoy Native reggae music from Casper and the Mighty 602 Band and hip hop sounds from Yaiva. On Sunday, folk singer Clarence Clearwater strolls the grounds strumming his guitar while combining traditional sounds with contemporary lyrics.
Featured Artist Shonto Begay
Painter and illustrator Shonto Begay is the featured artist for the marketplace. He’ll be in theEnduring Creations—Generations seasonal sales gallery and will discuss his inspirations each day from 11–11:30 a.m. in Releasing the Light.
Begay’s fertile creativity births paintings with wonder, sadness, and truth about the everyday life of being Shonto and everyday life on the Navajo reservation. Begay will sign his books (available in the MNA Bookstore) and have numerous large-scale paintings ranging from edgy to mystical, including his famous “White Shell Woman,” a depiction of the Navajo mythological mother to the Hero Twins.
Kid Stuff
From 1–4 p.m. on Saturday only, kids can create a take-home craft in the Creative Corner. At 1 p.m. both days, all ages can be amused by a Goat in the Rug puppet show.
About MNA
The Museum of Northern Arizona sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountains in Arizona. It is located three miles north of Flagstaff’s historic downtown, on scenic Highway 180. An originator of American Indian marketplaces, MNA’s Heritage Program presents the best of the diverse cultures of the Colorado Plateau in a celebration of marketplaces. Since 1930, audiences of all ages—families, children, connoisseurs, and collectors—have enjoyed fine Native American and Hispanic arts and performances. Admission is $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/student, $2/child. For more information, call 928/774-5213 or visit www.musnaz.org.
MNA’s Heritage Program marketplaces are generously supported by major donors: Arizona Commission on the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts and Flagstaff Cultural Partners/City of Flagstaff. Sponsors include NEBS, Sunny 97 FM, and KAFF/The Mountain.