Jurors' Comments for All Awards

Southwest Indian Art Award of Excellence ($1,000)
Jim Click Automotive Team
"Bathroom Break" by Clarence Lee, Navajo

Description: 3-D silver wagon with horses, dogs, goats, rabbit. Additional materials include Italian white marble, dolomite, pipestone, turquoise (eyes and water), leather and copper. Moveable parts. Techniques: inlay/channel, constructed, hand-carved.

About this Award: Awarded for work that exhibits the highest visual appeal and craftsmanship.

Jurors' Comments:
Jake Livingston: The quality and intricacy of the silverwork and sculpture impressed me. The silver wagon includes many small moving parts; and even the chain connecting the wagon to the horses is made of silver.
Kent McManus: (about the Runner-Up "Raised Outline Teec Nos Pos" weaving, his initial choice) This is a more difficult technique of weaving than standard Navajo weaving. You have to have a different loom setup to do a raised outline pattern. A goodly portion of this is handspun and you have to admire anyone willing to do handspun when it's so easy to buy commercially spun yarn. And there is some vegetal dying in this too. Same thing, it's easier to buy from a store. This lady took a lot of prep time. It's a beautiful piece; but it's not JUST a beautiful rug. (About why he ultimately chose "Bathroom Break" to break the three-way tie.) This was my favorite thing here. But I thought it was because I'm biased; because I love animal carvings and fetishes. So I tried not to let that influence me. But that's my favorite piece.
Ruby Panana: (about the Runner-Up "Mountain Sheep (Ram)" Katsina carving) It's so surreal, I can imagine being at home; on the side of Jemez Pueblo or at Zia, when the kachinas are going home, and seeing the animals on the hill. It just speaks out to me.

Award of Excellence in Two Dimensional Art ($1,000)
Desert Diamond Casino
"Taos Artist Study" by Laura Fragua-Cota, Jemez Pueblo / Pecos

Description: Pastel on pastel sand paper

About this Award: Awarded to work that shows top quality in a two-dimensional medium. Painting, drawing and photography are eligible.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: It looks like when you walk into the old train station in Albuquerque and those are the kind of paintings you see. And I've never seen work like this where it's done on sand paper. It caught my eye from the start.
Kent McManus: This is the classic old scene. You would walk into La Fonda when I was a kid and that's what you would see. It has a wonderful 30s revival to it. It absolutely captures the whole feeling of Taos men. Beautiful, beautiful piece. I haven't seen anything like this in… I can't say when.
Jake Livingston: (about the Runner-Up watercolor titled "A Little Late to the Fair") There's nice details in this watercolor. The theme of the covered wagon, horses and dogs is very appealling. It reminds me of res when I was growing up, people going along the road to the fair in just this same style.

Larry Lominac Memorial Award of Excellence ($850)
Friends of Larry Lominac
"Coyote Stories" (Storyteller) by Laura Fragua-Cota, Jemez Pueblo / Pecos

Description: Little coyotes of all tribes are learning the tircks of the trade! The main coyote is telling coyote stories so they will learn how to be sneaky, be a trickster and pass this on to future coyotes! Commercial clay, fabric, faux fur, beads, leather, metal.

About this Award: Awarded to recognize the use of humor and animal imagery (particularly bears) in any media. Larry, who passed away in 2003, was the husband of ASM Staff member Karen Lominac. His lifelong love of animals inspired the creation of this award.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: This piece is just different, it's unusual. I've never seen anybody take clay and do as much work on it. And then all the other stuff! It's just looks fun.
Jake Livingston: This is a really different style from the other storytellers I've seen. There's a lot of coyote in it; with the skins on top! It caught my eye—the way it's made.
Kent McManus: (about the Runner-Up clay sculpture "Train Ride") I picked this one because it has great puppies and kitties climbing all over a train. Birds on the front, butterflies—the kids are clearly loving the animals they're with. It's just a scene of true joy from when you were a child.

Emory Sekaquaptewa Memorial Award of Excellence in Jewelry Overlay ($800)
University of Arizona/Bahti Indian Arts
"Spirit People Concho Belt" by Julius Keyonnie, Navajo

Description: Sterling silver with 14 karat gold and lapidary, Techniques: constructed with engraving, overlay and lapidary.

About this Award: Awarded to acknowledge excellence in overlay technique. This award honors Emory, a scholar and a jeweler, for his innovation in develping the black background associated with overlay.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: It's just a piece that really stands out.
Kent McManus: Nice use of overlay mixed in with stamped work which is an interesting combination. Nice deep dark background on the overlay and beautiful coral work as well.
Jake Livingston: It's a nice concha belt that combines Navajo style and Western style. The gold on top is hand-engraved and the coral is very nice.

Award of Excellence in Painting or Drawing ($500)
Arch & Laura Brown
"Thunder Katsina" by Kevin Horace Quannie, Hopi

Description: Sand on canvas and acrylic.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship in painting or drawing.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: This painting's textures and the ways it has different surfaces just really caught my eye.
Kent McManus: It almost has a petroglyph look to it. While they are all katsina figures, they have this look as if you walked into cave and saw them in the firelight.
Jake Livingston: I like it that all the standing figures are different. And the texture is really interesting.

Award of Excellence in Painting or Drawing ($500)
Arch & Laura Brown
"A Little Late for the Fair" by John I. King, Diné (Navajo)

Description: Watercolor painting of wagon with horses and family.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship in painting or drawing.

Jurors' Comments:
Kent McManus: This one is absolutely classic. Old style Navajo, Beatin Yazz sort of look to it: two-dimensional. When you think of Navajo style painting: this is it!
Jake Livingston: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award)There's nice details in this watercolor. The theme of the covered wagon, horses and dogs is very appealling. It reminds me of res when I was growing up, people going along the road to the fair in just this same style. (Additional comments) Just looking at it says it all.
Ruby Panana: (about the Runner-Up watercolor "Could Life Be Any Better?") This piece, it looks fun; like the artist really had fun doing it. Plus the homemade paper.

Award of Excellence in Sculpture/Carving ($500)
Gallery West
"Untitled" by Ed Yazzie, Navajo

Description: Gold colored stone sculpture and Native American woman with feather in her hair. Alabaster with wooden base.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship in sculpture or carving.

Jurors' Comments:
Kent McManus: The stone the artist picked has an interesting color variation. Most of the other stones you see are fairly uni-colored. The change of color on the shoulder is nice. I also like the use negative space. The space had to be carved in where the feather comes off the head. Many other sculptures don't have parts that stick out. It's difficult to do it properly and not lose the stone.
Ruby Panana: (about the Runner-Up alabaster sculpture "Little Drummer Boy Resting", her initial choice) You can feel that the little boy has been playing all day and he's tired: he just want's to lay down and go to sleep. It just looks real. (About why she ultimately chose "Untitled" to break the three-way tie.) I didn't notice the coloring which is really unusual. And the also the difficulty of doing the feather.
Jake Livingston: (about the Runner-Up bronze sculpture "Peaceful Meditation") Just by looking at it you feel a peaceful mind.

Award of Excellence in Katsina Doll Carving ($500)
Grey Dog Trading Co.
"Mountain Sheep" (Ram) by Keith Torres, Hopi

Description: Katsina sculpture. Sheep climbing rocks with katsina sheep following up the rocks. Made of cottonwood.

About this Award: Awarded to the katsina carving that best portrays adherence to traditional representation and use of materials.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) It's so surreal, I can imagine being at home; on the side of Jemez Pueblo or at Zia, when the kachinas are going home, and seeing the animals on the hill. It just speaks out to me. (Additional comments) Like I said before I can just picture that whole scene: it's just real.
Kent McManus: I agree with Ruby's comments. It's wonderful in the sense that you have the represention of the ram in katsina form and you have ram above the katsina—as if calling down that spirit.
Jake Livingston: (about the Runner-Up "Hototo Katsina Sculpture") The detail and the painting on this carving is impressive.

Award of Excellence in Pottery ($500)
Kaibab Shops
"Pottery with Corn Relief" by Caroline Carpio, Isleta Pueblo

Description: Pottery with corn relief. Native clay. Kiln fired.

About this Award: Awarded to work that shows the best quality in craftsmanship and use of ceramic material. All pottery is eligible.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: This piece really stands out—the polish and colors are excellent. It can be still used without ruining the polish. It just fits all together.
Jake Livingston: (about the Runner-Up pot "The Seasons", his initial choice ) The shape—wide at the bottom and narrow at the top—would be difficult to make. I liked the painting of the four seasons on the sides—it looks like a difficult design. (About why he ultimately chose "Pottery with Corn Relief" to break the three-way tie.) It's not round so it's harder to make than the one I originally chose. And because of the polishing and the way it stands and the other qualities that Ruby explained.
Kent McManus: (about the Runner-Up "Santa Clara Style Seed Pot") Sgrafito work is no mean trick. And it is stone-polished by hand: you can still see the lines on the piece. It's not buffed which is becoming common. Very accurately done—the cutwork is so clean. So often cutwork gets way off. Just a very well executed piece.

Award of Excellence in Clay ($400)
Casas Adobes Barber Shop
"Train Ride" by Marilyn Ray, Acoma Pueblo

Description: Five car train set with figurines. Wheels actually turn. Made with native clay and pigments for color.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship and vision in the use of clay. All pottery and figurative clay are eligible.

Jurors' Comments:
Kent McManus: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) I picked this one because it has great puppies and kitties climbing all over a train. Birds on the front, butterflies—the kids are clearly loving the animals they're with. It's just a scene of true joy from when you were a child. (Additional comments) Again the pure joy in this piece. But also the technical difficulty. To do a square or rectangle in pottery and have it come out halfway even is very difficult; and you have three train cars here that do that. Wheels look very good, too.
Jake Livingston: It's difficult to make it like Kent said. And then the wheels actually turn. Plus the figures: the little birds and cats and butterflies on the top of each part. The only thing they forgot was to put "Santa Fe" on the side!
Ruby Panana: (about the Runner-Up "Wedding Vase—Endless Love") It's just an unusual piece, I know it's hard to twist clay like that and keep it from cracking on you. The shape of the vase is really nice. And the hand stone-polishing is very nice.

Award of Excellence in Textiles or Weavings ($300)
Cele Peterson’s
"Raised Outline Teec Nos Pos" by Florence Manygoats, Navajo

Description: Woven on vertical loom using raised outline technique. Hand-carded, handspun wool. Mostly vegetal dyes, some analine dyes.

About this Award: Awarded to acknowledge excellence in craftsmanship in all forms of weaving. Baskets, rugs and other fiber arts are eligible.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: It's just an unusual piece. I've never seen this type of work before. It stands out for me.
Kent McManus: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) This is a more difficult technique of weaving than standard Navajo weaving. You have to have a different loom setup to do a raised outline pattern. A goodly portion of this is handspun and you have to admire anyone willing to do handspun when it's so easy to buy commercially spun yarn. And there is some vegetal dying in this too. Same thing, it's easier to buy from a store. This lady took a lot of prep time. It's a beautiful piece; but it's not JUST a beautiful rug. (Additional Comments) One other thing I would say: we actually got out rulers and measured it to see if it was pretty even on both sides and it was. That's not so hard for a smaller rug, but it's very difficult on a rug this size. And again I just can't get over the use of handspun yarn which just does not happen any more.
Jake Livingston: This rug is just outstanding. The combination vegetable and commercial dyes is nice. It measures out evenly and the corners are excellent.

Award of Excellence in Jewelry ($300)
Morning Star Traders, Inc.
"Morning Chants Necklace" by Jack Tom, Navajo

Description: Pendant on necklace of silver beads. Channel inlay with coral, opal and sugulite. Pendant overlayed with 14 karat gold (cloud). Beads and findings handmade.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship in jewelry and silversmithing.

Jurors' Comments:
Jake Livingston: It's like two necklaces. The inlay pendant is very nice with nice coral. And the Yei and sun for direction are nice designs. The beads are a very different shape to make and they are very even.
Kent McManus: (about the Runner-Up "Rug Buckle", his initial choice) This is absolutely stunning work. Marvelous stampwork and etching. (About why he ultimately chose "Morning Chants Necklace" to break the three-way tie.) As Jake said the handmade beads which are textured are hard to make. Along with the inlay and overlay work. This piece has everything on it.
Ruby Panana: (about the Runner-Up "Two Generation Bracelet") It’s a really unually piece with the wedding basket laying on there. And the distribution of the gold is nice and even. I've never seen a piece like this.

Award of Excellence in Basketry ($300)
Silverbell Trading
"Man in the Maze" by Mary A. Pablo, Tohono O'odham

Description: Devil's claw, white yucca, beargrass.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship in basket arts.

Juror's Comments:
Ruby Panana: It's just really well done with a tight weave.
Jake Livingston: It's thin and really tight. Well made.

Award of Excellence in Figurative Clay ($300)
Bahti Indian Arts
"Beautiful" by Carol Lujan, Diné (Navajo)

Description: Clay sculpture, 3 pieces. Kiln fired of commercial clay, red iron oxide and acrylics.

About this Award: Awarded to acknowledge excellence in non-vessel ceramics.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: It's a fun piece that's really well done. It's a happy piece.
Kent McManus: This is one of the more humorous pieces here. Wonderful expressions on faces; and I love the toes!
Jake Livingston: It's a nice group of figures with the lady, girl, and butterfly. The turquoise butterfly is nice. It's handmade and the clay work is really nice.

Award of Excellence in Traditional Carving ($250)
Karen & Stephen Strom
"Little Drummer Boy Resting" by Vincent Kaydahzinne, Mescalero Apache

Description: Alabaster stone sculpture. Hand-carved with power tools and sand paper. Material is New Mexico white and pink alabaster.

About this Award: Awarded for carving that adheres most to cultural content, other than a Kastina doll.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) You can feel that the little boy has been playing all day and he's tired: he just want's to lay down and go to sleep. It just looks real. (Additional comments) Like I said before, it's just real-looking. The drummer boy gets tired from singing all day and he just takes his blanket and curls up next to the singers.
Jake Livingston: It tells a story. And the alabaster carving: starting with a solid block of alabaster and then the story comes out. It's well made.
Kent McManus: (about the Runner-Up "Man, Maze of Life, Woman in Front of Saguaro") It's really nice to see some of this type of Tohono O'odham folk art work coming back. You rarely see work of this type now.

Gordon Carle Award of Excellence in Tribal Arts ($250)
Jamie Gittings
"Male and Female Yei Bi Chai" by Nelson Lewis Sr., Navajo

Description: Navajo sandpainting of ceremonial figures for healing. Made with board, natural color sand, glue and lacquer.

About this Award: Awarded to recognize high quality in diverse media that do not fit into conventional categories.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: It's a nice overall piece and really well done.
Kent McManus: A very nicely done sandpainting: nice, even work. There's a nice border on the background as well with a little different approach.
Jake Livingston: Well done. The corn with the two yeis are well represented in the Navajo style.

Southwestern University Award of Excellence in Carving ($250)
Jamie Gittings
"Hototo" by Gerry Quotskuyva, Hopi

Description: Katsina sculpture. Cottonwood root with commercial paints and acrylics. Hand carved with wood burner details.

About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship in carving. Any medium is eligible.

Jurors' Comments:
Kent McManus: I was looking particularly at the detailing of leaves, feathers, the necklace, and especially in the basket at the bottom with the little katsina attached to it.
Ruby Panana: (about the Runner-Up carving "Harvesting of the Corn", her initial choice) It's just a different, unusual piece. I've seem some cedar before but this is just different. It still has the raw wood showing through. (About why she ultimately chose "Hototo" to break the three-way tie.) The craftsmanship is really outstanding.
Jake Livingston: (about the Runner-Up alabaster sculpture "Pretty Earrings") It has a lot of detail: the lady—especially the face, the edges of the blanket, the necklace and earrings, the purse and even the feet. And the contrast of shine on top and the bottom being rough gives it different colors.

Award of Excellence in Textiles ($200)
Pam & Roland Shack
"Wide Ruins/Crystal Rug" by Charlene Laughing, Navajo

Description: Navajo rug with Crystal and Wide Ruins designs. Woven of commercial wook with natural dyes on an upright Navajo loom.

About this Award: Awarded to acknowledge excellence in technical achievement in any form of weaving or fiber arts. Rugs, baskets and other fiber arts are elgible.

Jurors' Comments:
Ruby Panana: I liked the coloring. It looks natural.
Kent McManus: Good use of color in this piece. The design isn't the most intricate but it still has nice elements in a banded pattern, and it's more intricate than most banded patterns are.
Jake Livingston: The measurements are good and even. And it has good colors.

Judges Choice Award ($200)
Ralph & Ingeborg Silberschlag
"Santa Clara Style Seed Pot" by Monica Romero, Santa Clara Pueblo

Description: Hand coiled with water serpent design. Made of natural clay and slip, using wooden tools, sand paper, and polishing stones. Fired outdoors using tin tray, cedar wood, cow manure, horse manure. Designs made with X-acto blade.

About this Award: This award is also called the "passion award". Each juror selects one piece after all other awards have been decided. The Judge's Choice Awards are designed to bring recognition to a work that each juror, independently, feels is outstanding. These pieces may have been overlooked due to the limited number of awards or because they fell outside other award categories.

Juror's Comments:
Kent McManus: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) Sgrafito work is no mean trick. And it is stone-polished by hand: you can still see the lines on the piece. It's not buffed which is becoming common. Very accurately done—the cutwork is so clean. So often cutwork gets way off. Just a very well executed piece. (Additional comments) The detailing is wonderful with great control in the sgrafito carving. Beautiful polish, nicely shaped: about everything you could want in a pot.

Judges Choice Award ($200)
Ralph & Ingeborg Silberschlag
"Pretty Earrings" by Larry Yazzie, Navajo

Description: Standing woman admiring her earrings. Material is Utah alabaster.

Juror's Comments:
Jake Livingston: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) It has a lot of detail: the lady—especially the face, the edges of the blanket, the necklace and earrings, the purse and even the feet. And the contrast of shine on top and the bottom being rough gives it different colors. (Additional comments) It has a lot of detail and it's standing up high. I like undercut relief.

Judges Choice Award ($200)
Pam & Roland Shack
"Two Generation Bracelet" by Julius Keyonnie, Navajo

Description: Sterling silver with 14 Karat gold. Techiques: overlay and lapidary.

Juror's Comments:
Ruby Panana: (previous comments when this piece was a candidate for another award) It’s a really unusual piece with the wedding basket on it. And the distribution of the gold is nice and even. I've never seen a piece like this. (Additional comments) This just really caought my eye with basket design and even distribution of gold throughout piece.

ASM Director’s Choice Award of Excellence ($300)
Arizona State Museum
"Large Waterjar with Rainbow Band" by Judy Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo / Tewa

Description: Traditional native clays, hand coiled, stone burnished, fired outdoors.

About this Award: Awarded to acknowledge excellence in quality, this award is selected by the ASM Director. Any medium is eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Hartman Lomawaima: This pottery harkens back to some of the earliest pottery that had little or no design elements, but were utilitarian. This was called a water jar—which is a kind of replica of earlier water jars that kept water cool because of the natural condensation. I really appreciate the work that was involved with the has high polish. Clearly some of the polish was done with gourds initially and then also with river stone; and that's a lot of work. And I like the walls. The walls are not as thick as some I've seen and they weigh a tons. Of course I didn't pick it up but it looks like the walls are uniform. For the size and kind of pot I think they're the right thickness of wall.

Staff Purchase Award ($650)
Arizona State Museum Staff
"Lightning Swirl" by Andrew Harvier, Taos-Santa Clara / Tohono O'odham

Description: A flared bowl with a black matte finish. There are 33 carved lightning (zig-zag) swirls.

About this Award: Art works winning purchase awards become part of the museum's permanent collections. They are chosen for their technique and artistry as well as for the way in which they compare and contrast with other items in our collections. Any medium is eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Diane Dittemore and Patrick Lyons: This piece is technically well executed, and particularly aesthetically pleasing with the contrast between deep zigzag ridges on the upper body and the smooth under body. We are glad to have an example of this potter's work.

Ruth E. Gittings Purchase Award ($500)
Jamie Gittings
"Candlestick Holders" by Ethel Shields, Acoma Pueblo

Description: Traditionally fired of earth clay.

Juror's Comments:
Diane Dittemore and Patrick Lyons: We have a lizard by Ethel Shields from our first fair over 10 years ago. Since it was a more contemporary piece, we were glad to be able to purchase her candlesticks which appear to be revivals of the great Acoma tourist wares of the first half of the 20th century.

B.C. Waddell Memorial Purchase Award in Jewelry ($500)
Waddell Trading Co.
"Spring Ring" by Shane R. Hendren, Navajo

Description: Hollow formed ring constructed of tuffa, cast sterling silver and laminated marriage of metals. Inlayed with Wright's Mountain Nevada turquoise.

Juror's Comments:
Diane Dittemore and Patrick Lyons: This ring has a great contrast between the very earthy turquoise settings and the modern, angular metal laminate technique.

Wilma Kaemlein Memorial Purchase Award ($250)
Arizona State Museum
"Black-on-black Seed Pot" by Merton Sisneros, Santa Clara Pueblo / Tewa

Description: Made with earth clay, traditionally fired outside.

Juror's Comments:
Diane Dittemore and Patrick Lyons: The potter demonstrates great control of the seed jar shape, and fine painting hand.

Vice President for Research Purchase Award ($3,000)
University of Arizona
"Cast Silver Belt Buckle" by Bennard Dallasvuyaoma, Gila River Pima/Hopi

Description: Cast silver belt buckle with banded inlay using multiple stones including Bisbee turquoise. The inlay depicts a landscape scene with earth, sky and symbols of the Hopi people.

Juror's Comments:
Diane Dittemore and Patrick Lyons: This piece is absolutely gorgeous. The artist received the Arizona turquoise (Bisbee) from Verma Nequatewa (Sonwai), who got it from Charles Loloma her teacher. Bennard represents a recent generation of jewelers inspired by Charles Loloma, who was his uncle. Bennard was very thrilled to have the buckle come to ASM, especially upon learning that we mention Loloma in talks on jewelry and that have included photos of him in the current "Set in Stone" exhibit regarding his teaching in the Soutwestern Indian Art Project. The Vice President Reasearch, Leslie Tolbert, (donor of the award) had a good opportunity to speak with the artist, and appears to be quite happy at our selection, as well as honored to meet Bennard.

Friends of the ASM Collections Purchase Award ($3,000)
Friends of the ASM Collections
"Inlay Bracelet" by Frank Carrillo , Laguna

Description: Hinged link multiple stone and shell inlay bracelet in silver with gold accents.

Juror's Comments:
: The Friends of ASM Collections jurors—Stuart Beckerman, Don Morehart and Susan Finkenberg—as well as Diane Dittemore, ASM ethnological collections curator, agreed that the bracelet epitomizes modern design and appreciated the extensive use of a variety of stones. The 3D quality was greatly admired as well.

Friends of Lorraine Honanie Youth Award of Excellence ($200)
Friends of Lorraine Honanie
"Contemporary Seed Pot" by Cody R. Hendren, Navajo / Santo Domingo

Description: Hollow, formed seed pot with Mokume-gane technique laminated with copper and bronze. Mokume-gane is a Japanese laminating technique using nonferrous metals. Hollow form with copper chloride patina.

About this Award: Awarded for youth work that exceeds standard qualities of excellence in craftsmanship or visual appeal. Artists of age 17 and under are eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Dawn Cromwell: This artist's craftsmanship and metalwork skill is apparent in the challenging shape and delicate smooth surface of this pot. The challenging choices exhibited here are indicative of artistic self-confidence.

Youth Award of Excellence ($100)
Arizona State Credit Union
"Bear" by Dannielle Weahkee, Navajo

Description: Materials are Utah alabaster, Fox turquoise, buffalo tooth, stone point arrow head, Portugese marble, coral, and various feathers.

About this Award: Awarded to recognize quality in any artistic medium. Artists of age 13 to 17 are eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Dawn Cromwell: A well designed and proportioned piece in a traditional art form. Artist has a good eye for color combinations.

Youth Award of Excellence ($100)
Jean Bassett
"Sea World" by Hope Etsitty, Navajo

Description: Concha belt of sterling silver, Sleeping Beauty turquoise, lapis, spiny oyster shell, and China Mountain turquoise.

About this Award: Awarded to recognize quality in any artistic medium. Artists of age 13 to 17 are eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Dawn Cromwell: The artist is using advanced technical skills and exploring textures and design images that are complex and delightful at the same time.

Youth Award of Excellence ($100)
Jean Bassett
"Pooli" by Ayu-Aya, Hopi

Description: Vase with butterly, corn and sunflower. Hand carved traditional clay with natural pigments. Fired with sheep dung. Painted with yucca fiber brushes.

About this Award: Awarded to recognize quality in any artistic medium. Artists of age 13 to 17 are eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Dawn Cromwell: Artist has a talent for working with clay and interpreting traditional symbols. Nice work!

Youth Award of Excellence ($100)
Carol Laesecke
"Hopi Maiden" by Julia Wall, Jemez Pueblo / Chippewa

Description: Ink drawing with colored pencil on drawing paper.

About this Award: Awarded to recognize quality in any artistic medium. Artists of age 13 to 17 are eligible.

Juror's Comments:
Dawn Cromwell: This 2-dimensional work has a strong sense of the artists vision. Space is used well with positioning of the young woman in the center with the framing continuously drawing the viewer's eye back to the center.

Youth Award of Excellence ($50)
Arizona State Credit Union
"Coyote Tracks" by Tiffany Rose Scout, Tohono O'odham / Sioux

Description: Uses all four natural colors of materials, including yucca, devil's claw, red banana yucca roots, beargrass and green yucca.