Navajo Inlay Jewelry (Session 1)

Richard Tsosie (Diné [Navajo]) is a jeweler and sculptor from Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Wide Ruins area of the Navajo Nation and is currently living in Scottsdale, AZ. His work has been featured in American Indian Art Magazine, Arizona Highways, the video Beyond Tradition: Contemporary Indian Art and Its Evolution, and several books, including Southwestern Indian Jewelry by Dexter Cirillo and Enduring Traditions, Art of the Navajo by Jerry Jacka. His art is on permanent exhibition at The Smithsonian, The Heard Museum, The Museum of Us in San Diego, and The Museum of Northern Arizona. His artwork has been featured in the magazine Arizona Highways and photographed by renowned photographer Jerry Jacka.

Richard’s contemporary silver and gold work features fabrication, overlay, and granulation. He is also known for colorful inlay work with various natural stones and his fine degree of control and attention to detail. His designs are motivated by images of the natural world, particularly the Wide Ruins area of the reservation, where he spent a large part of his youth. Richard says of his work, “I am inspired by the colors of the mountains at sunset, the patterns of shadow and light that emerge at dawn, and the pinpoints of starlight against the black night sky.”

His pieces typically contain the symbol for lighting and an arrow pattern. The lightning stands for natural causes, while the arrowhead symbolizes man-made elements. Richard says the design represents the ups and downs of life. “Some things we can’t do anything about, and you should try to enjoy life to the fullest.”

He also explains that his designs represent the beauty of life. The arrows are things that come naturally, like lightning in the sky. There are ups and downs in life, as in his designs, which make you strong.

Includes the use of all tools, equipment, and consumables such as solder and compounds; you may be asked to bring additional materials.

Optional:

• If you have your own tool kit, we encourage you to bring it. Hand tools: files, finer #4 cut, saw frame, hammers, pliers (round, flat, or needle nose), and any other basic tools you like to use.
• OptiVisor
• Work lamp and eyeglasses, if necessary
• Rough stones (for cutting in class)
• Silver – Packets with pre-cut pieces of silver sheet and triangular wire will be available for sale for making an inlay bracelet in class. If you wish to bring your own sheet silver and wire, these are the specifications for one bracelet:
  • #3 wide triangular sterling silver wire (15” or more if large wrist)
  • 20, 22, and 24 gauge silver sheet (3” wide, length depends on wrist size)

Your workshop starts at 9 a.m. each day. Lunch is served from 12 to 1 p.m. Workshops resume at 1 p.m. and wrap up at 4 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 p.m. You are welcome to join evening programming led by other adult art programs.

NOTE: Some instructors allow for after-hour work sessions. If the instructor(s) is/are willing and present in the classroom, you can work on your pieces after 4 pm.

Generous donors have made scholarships and fellowships for adult workshops available on a limited basis for these specific groups:

1) Native American Community Leaders, Artists, Members, and Teachers.
2) Inland Empire Teachers, Professors, and graduate students.

Scholarships include tuition, dorm housing, and all meals provided by the campus dining service. Transportation to and from campus is not provided, and the $50 registration fee is not included.

Scholarship Details:
1) Native American Community Members, Leaders, Artists, and Teachers

For adults 18 and older with current tribal affiliation, the scholarship brings community leaders, artists, members, and teachers to workshops at Idyllwild Arts to benefit both the scholarship recipients and those in their schools or tribal communities. Applicants with financial needs may receive priority. We also offer scholarships for Native American Teens for both the Summer Program and the Academy.

2) Inland Empire Teachers, Professors, and graduate students.
For adults 18 and older who are current teachers in lower and higher education who will benefit from learning about Native American Arts and Culture to take back into the classroom as well as currently enrolled graduate students. The scholarship is designed to provide professional development for those in education to share with their learning communities.

Click here for more information about adult scholarships.