Prescott Indian Art Market

Frank Fowler poses with his Yei Be Chei painting that won an award during the Prescott Indian Show. [Courtesy Photo]

By Stan Bindell
For the Independent

PRESCOTT, ARIZ. — Benson Manygoats found inspiration from his grandmother and that was clear as he won People's Choice and first place in the Jewlery Division at the tenth annual Prescott Indian Art Market at Sharlot Hall Museum July 14-15.

His grandmother, the late Betty Manygoats, was a weaver and his mother Alice Manygoats was also a weaver.

"It's good to win the top award because there's a lot of competition out there and I just like to be part of it. There are a lot of good artisans here," he said.

The winning piece was a necklace called "Grandmother's love and joy." The intricate necklace includes a design of the materials used for weaving, and a ladybug. The handmade piece is 14 carat gold with turquoise, coral and Acoma jet.

Manygoats, a Navajo from Tohatchi, also creates rings and bracelets, usually made from silver and gold. His wife Brenda said that Manygoats is meticulous about his work.

"I'll think a piece is perfect, but it's not done until he says it's done," she said.

Their three children are learning the silversmithingcraft from him.

Manygoats has his own silversmithing shop in Tohatchi. He learned his silversmithing trade as an apprentice for artist Ray Tracy in Gallup.

"I'm the first in the family to do jewelry," he said. Manygoats is also a sheepherder who is proud that he speaks fluent Navajo.

Manygoats has won dozens of awards from shows in Dallas, Denver and the Museum of Northern Arizona, but emphasized that he was honored to win here. Benson said he loves inlay jewelry.

Benson works out of a shop in Gallup, N.M. His work can be found at Ellis Tanner Trading Co. in Gallup.

On the Net: www.bensonmanygoats.com

Other award winners were:
Traditional American Indian Art: first, Rena Begay; second, Florence Riggs; third, Nannabah Arragon; Pottery: first, Larry Chino; second and third, Alvina Yepa.

Sculpture and carving: first, Howard Sice; second, Upton "Greyshoes" Ethelbah; third, Jordan Torres Sr. Jewelry: first, Benson Manygoats; second, Allison Lee; third, Alfred Lee Jr.

Two-dimensional art: first, Randy Keedah Sr; second, Frank Fowler Jr.; third, Baje Whitethorne Sr.

In the amphitheater, E.J. Satala and Moontee Sinquah from Hopi served as the masters of ceremonies as there were performances by Polacca Dance Group, flutist Alex Maldonado with Melissa Maldonado on vocals and Nick Maldonado on percussion, flutist Adrian Wall and flutist Allenroy Paquin.

There were demonstrations by Leora Kayquaptewa, Jessica Lomatewama and Joyce Saufkie for basket weaving; Nanabah Aragon for rug weaving; Ernie Lister for silversmithing; Jerry Honawa and Ramson Lomatewama for katsina carving; Rex Pooyouma for moccasin making; George and Donna Bennett for immediate customalterations; and David Morris displaying his rock art.

Keedah
Keedah, a Navajo from Steamboat in Arizona, won firstplace in the two dimensional art section for his oilpainting of "Rumors."

In the painting, there are three traditional Navajo women in one part and three traditional Navajo men in another part. Of course, they are all gossiping. This painting is for sale and will be on display at the Gallup Ceremonial.

"I'm happy and excited to win this award because it gives me big motivation to carry on," he said."Winning top prizes never gets old."

Keedah, who is self-taught, won the first place two-dimensional prize the last two years at the Prescott Indian Art Market.

While Keedah's paintings can sell for thousands, he also sells eight by tens that sell for $65.

Keedah loves the Prescott Indian Art Market. "I make more money here. They love my art and they're not afraid to spend money," he said.

Keedah has won awards at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial and the Navajo Nation Fair. He has also won awards off the reservation such as Best of Class at the Wyoming Indian Art Market.

His paintings have also been purchased by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe. He has a painting of Miss Navajo hanging in Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley's office. He donated a painting for the Window Rock veterans and has several murals on the reservation.

On the Net: www.keedahsart.com

Sice
Howard Sice, a Hopi-Laguna artist, took first place in the sculpture and carving division for his sterling silver seed pot.

"It was great to win because I haven't won here for awhile," he said.

The seed pot has many designs in it including early morning, birds, water, sun, eagle and turkey feathers, mountains, clouds and rain. It also had a large turquoise stone on the top.

Sice, who recently won an Honorable Mention at theHeard Museum, said this is the first time he won for a large piece. He is better known for his jewelry.

Sice's art began in a precarious way. In 1972, he married. His father-in-law gave him some jewelry tools and told him to get to work. His father in law is Howard Smith, a Navajo from Steamboat.

Born in Winslow, Sice was raised in Laguna Pueblo, N.M., he graduated from Winslow High School and studied liberal arts at Northern Arizona University. In 1990, he received his BS in human resources management from Park College in Missouri.

Sice spent many seasons with his aunts at Walpi, Kykotsmovi and Polacca on the Hopi Reservation. The Laguna and Hopi cultures are reflected in his many designs.

"Since the beginning of human kind, we have sought to express the way which we see the magic of our environment," he said.

Sice started with goldsmithing, but added engraving. His traditional designs used in the engravings have become known throughout the art world as the Sice Design. He uses steel and glass in his furnishings.

Sice has won prestigious awards from Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum, Museum of Northern Arizona and the Eight Northern Pueblo Show. His work has been published in Santa Fe Indian Market Show Case of Native American Art, Artistic Taste, Art of the Hopi and American Indian Jewelry.

Chino
Larry Chino, who hails from Acoma Pueblo, took first place in the pottery division for his seed pot. This is just for art because the hole at the top is too small to put seeds in. The seed pot is called "Weavingwith Lightening" because it has a lightening design. "The lightening represents strength," he said.

This pottery sells for $800, but Chino emphasizes he isn't in this business for the money.

"It's not just the money, but a part of me is in each piece," he said. "I enjoy doing the work and explaining it to people when they purchase it. I like telling the stories about the designs."

Chino learned his craft from his grandmother MamieTorivio, his mother Myrna and his sister Debra. Chino said he didn't expect to win the first placeprize because there is a lot of tough competition here.

"I keep varying my designs to keep an edge," he said. Apparently, Chino stays ahead of the competition as his pottery is displayed at the Smithsonian Museum and his pottery has been published in three books.

Born and raised in Acoma, he graduated from Grants High School before earning a welding certificate from TVI. His jobs as a welder and a pipefitter taught him precision which he uses in his art work.

His work can be found at the 66 Gallery in Grants.

Begay
Rena Begay, a Navajo from Pinon, said she was happy towin first place in the traditional art section as she did two years ago.

Rena Begay started weaving rugs as a teenager. Her mother Marie Bekay taught her the craft.

Her mother and her aunt taught her every step in theprocess from sheering sheep to carding, spinning, dying and washing the wool. She spun her own warp yarn for each rug. Her first rug was a Two Grey Hills design.

Between her aunt, mother and herself, they shared their weaving tools until Begay was in her 20s and received her own set of sacred tools.

Begay sold her rugs to the traders in Gallup for many years. Due to illness, she was unable to weave from 1973-78, but she recovered and was able to weave again in time for her eldest daughter Eleanor's wedding. Her daughter and new son-in-law Victor Beck inspired her to start entering her rugs in the arts and crafts shows.

In 1983, Begay started weaving the Chief Blanket Design. She wove traditional and contemporary style chief blankets, but always pushed for beautiful color and design variations within this style.

Begay has won awards from the major shows including Gallup Intertribal, Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum.

"This is among the best shows because people buy and the awards are nice," she said.

Born and raised in Pinon, her classic Navajo rugs can be found in her home.

On the Net:www.renabegay.com

Fowler, Jr.
Frank Fowler Jr., a Navajo from Kaibeto, won Judge's Choice and second place in the jewelry division for his acrylic painting of "Yei Be Che Healers."

Fowler said he always likes winning awards as he recently won Best of Division at the Heard Museum and Best of Show at the Litchfield Indian Market.

Fowler said he had a great childhood growing up in the desert valley of Kaibeto where he slept on the dirt floor of a hogan on goat and sheep skins.

"During my childhood, I was fortunate enough to meet the last of the great horsemen and I remember wagons were still in use," he said. "A shaman lived in our area and he was someone I remember vividly. I remember he built a hogan and put on a ceremony in one day. I used to get in his way so he would give me a chore like catching a bird."

Fowler said he wasn't sure of the shamans purpose, but if the bird was killed the shaman didn't want it.

Fowler said he was inspired to draw by looking at DC Comics, such as Conan the Barbarian.

"Memories such as these inspire me to paint the culture I was raised in and the landscape that surrounds the Kaibeto area," he said. "To some this area may seem remote, but to me it is the most beautiful place on earth. My culture is rich and enduring borrowing from the past and living in today." Fowler said while pickup trucks have replaced the oldwagons that the essences and colors of the land remain powerful in his paintings.

"I never tire of representing my culture on canvas and appreciate the collectors that have been supportive of me," he said.

Fowler graduated from Tuba City High School before studying at Southwest Indian Polytech Institute in Albuquerque. He served in the Army during Desert Storm.

He is a rodeo circuit bull rider and journeyman electrician.