About the Jurors

Invited Jurors

Ryan Huna Smith A Chemehuevi/Navajo artist and an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker, Arizona. Raised in Needles, California and graduated from Needles High School. Afterward he attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, focusing on two-dimensional art. Completing his Bachelors in Fine Arts Degree at the University of Arizona majoring in Illustration. Ryan is currently the Program Manager of the Upward Bound Program at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. The Upward Bound Program assists low-income first-generation high school students to complete high school while preparing them for post-secondary education. He is a member of PCC’s adjunct faculty where he teaches watercolor. Ryan also works as a free-lance artist and illustrator and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Alex Beeshligaii A Navajo/Diné, silversmith, born in Ganado, Arizona, to the Grey Streak Mountain (Nihoobaanii) Clan and born for the Tsi’naajinni (Black-Streaked Wood) Clan. Alex received a BA in electrical engineering from the Arizona State University (1979) while simultaneously studying silversmithing at the Phoenix Indian Center at the encouragement of famed Navajo/Hopi jeweler Preston Monongye. He has served on the board of the Tucson Indian Center and was a past instructor in Native American Studies with the Anchorage Unified School District.

Alex exhibits in many of the leading galleries in the southwest and is one of the featured artists in Silver & Stone, Profiles of American Indian Jewelers and has had his work exhibited in Arizona State Museum’s exhibit, Set In Stone.

Barbara Ornelas Two Grey Hills Tapestry Weaver Barbara Ornelas Teller was born into the Tabaaha (Water Edge Clan) and born for the To’aheedliinii (Two Waters Flow Together Clan). Her parents are Sam K. and Ruth B. Teller. Although her father has passed away, her mother Ruth still resides at the family home in Newcomb, New Mexico. Weaving is a legacy in the Teller family. For over five generations, grandmothers, mother, sisters, aunts, and cousins have produced award-winning rugs. Barbara and her family are known for weaving rugs in the traditional Two Grey Hills pattern.

Among many past awards, Barbara has won the top award in her division in 1987 and in 1991 at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market. Most recently, Barbara Ornelas was honored with first place in Best of Textiles and Basketry division at the 2009 Santa Fe Indian Market. Her work was included in the exhibition Navajo Weaving at Arizona State Museum: 19th Century Blankets, 20th Century Rugs, 21st Century Views, which she co-curated. Ornelas stated that "When you see my weaving, you see me; and when you see me, you see my weaving; we're one and the same."

Acquisition Award Jurors

Patrick Lyons, Head of Collections, Associate Director, Arizona State Museum

Diane Dittemore, Ethnology Collections Curator, Arizona State Museum

Andrew Higgins, Ethnology Collections Curatorial Specialist, Arizona State Museum

Doreen Burbank, Doris and Arne Roland, and Lynne Spivey, Friends of the ASM Collections Acquisition Award Committee

Photos by Jannelle Weakly