Dazzling

Visitors will be able to meet face to face with the Heard Museum Shop featured artists at this year’s fair.

Whenever the Heard Indian Fair & Market rolls around, the Heard Museum Shop exhibitors are always something everyone looks forward to, from the casual fair attendee to the seasoned collector. It has all the aspects of a laidback atmosphere of simply browsing a shop, but with original works by world-class artists available to purchase right off the shelf—and most times, the artists themselves are there to answer questions, chat and discuss their creative processes. This element of in-person interaction is one of the most valuable aspects of the Museum Shop showcase. And this year, in part due to COVID-19, the Museum Shop exhibitors are more valuable than ever.

Darryl Dean Begay (Navajo), Lone Mountain turquoise ring.

“[Some of] the only artists you’ll get to really see in person are the Museum Shop artists,” says Laura Cardinal, Collector’s Room manager and buyer for the Heard Museum Shop. These seven artists, Darryl Dean Begay, Rebecca T. Begay, Tim Blueflint, Edison Cummings, Victoria Adams, Jesse Monongye and Denise Wallace, will all be present at the Museum Shop for the duration of the market, March 5 to 7. A permanent tradition that began at the 2020 fair, the Museum Shop exhibitors will also be eligible to enter their artwork for the prestigious Best of Show award.

Darryl Dean Begay (Navajo), Blessings cuff.

Silver, turquoise and other gems and minerals are abundant this year in the Museum Shop as jewelry art takes center stage. Each of the 2021 exhibitors specialize in crafting gorgeous pieces of wearable art, with Blueflint also crafting his well-known flutes. “While 2020 was a challenge for many of us, I have been spending my time researching and teaching myself many new techniques that I am employing in my new works, both with jewelry and flutes. I’m very excited to be exhibiting in the Heard Museum Shop with these true masters that have inspired me throughout my career,” says Blueflint. “As an artist, I am always looking for new and beautiful ways to convey the old stories and traditions of my family and people. My work is constantly evolving in a contemporary direction, yet steadfastly maintains the spirit of my traditions and cultural identity.”

Rebecca T. Begay (Navajo), Bisbee turquoise bolo tie.

Denise Wallace (Sugpiaq/Alutiiq), Deer Bolo, sterling silver, 14k gold, fossil walrus tusk, 2¾"

Couple Darryl and Rebecca will each bring several pieces to the shop; you might see anything from intricately designed silver cuffs, to turquoise rings to bolo ties. “I take great delight in creating my pieces. I am inspired by God’s creation of nature and mankind, the organic shapes, forms, textures and scenery, and do my best to exude beauty and joy in every piece,” says Rebecca. Lately, Darryl has been venturing into new territories and expanding his breadth as an artist. “I’ve been going to Japan a lot, and I’ve been making tufa carvings of geishas [and samurai]...I think of myself as an artist, not just a Native American artist,” says Darryl. He explains his interest in “fusing two cultures” and discusses how he recently visited a 25th generation katana maker in Japan. “I don’t want to take short cuts, I want to put every detail I can into my work.”

Tim Blueflint (Bad River Chippewa/Comanche), wooden flute with an assortment of jewelry pieces.

Victoria Adams (Southern Cheyenne), Lady Bug Ring. Photo by Gary Johnson Photography.

Crafting materials like 14k gold and fossilized walrus tusk into her work, Wallace plans to bring a selection of new bracelets, earrings, pendants and belts. “I am an Alaskan Native jeweler from the Chugach Region in Alaska. We are Sugpiaq/Alutiiq. I will be displaying my work along with my daughter and son’s work. We are a family of jewelers,” she says. “I have been making jewelry for over 40 years and my designs represent my Indigenous Alaskan background. I am inspired by the world around me and the various techniques of the Southwestern jewelers and the images of my homeland.”

Denise Wallace (Sugpiaq/Alutiiq), Half Seal Half Walrus Bracelet, sterling silver, 14k gold, fossil walrus tusk, 1½" (center mask)

Cardinal adds that Blueflint, who is also a musician, will play flute music in the shop to boost the festival atmosphere. “So we have that feeling of a live market,” she says. “I think it’s really important for the public as well as for us, that we’re supporting living artists.”

March 5-7, 2021
Heard Museum Shop Exhibitors
2301 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252- 8848, www.heardmuseumshop.com