Visitors have the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists and learn about methods, tools, and materials used to create their work. Some artists will also accept orders for commission work.
Judging for the art competition begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and awards will be presented at 11:45 a.m. Art entered for judging in the competition must be completely handmade.Competition categories include contemporary and traditional jewelry, traditional and non-traditional pottery, paintings, prints, photography, and drawings, wood carvings, stone and metal sculpture, textiles and weavings, beadwork and basketry, and dry sand art.
This year's art fair will include work by Joseph Ortiz from San Filipe Pueblo, who creates "traditional"-looking vessels from wooden tree stumps. Ortiz's unbreakable "pottery" is painted with old-style San Filipe motifs. Santa Anna Pueblo artist, Arlene Aguilar, will showcase her horse dolls as well as her semiprecious stone and shell jewelry. Navajo silver artists, Raymond and Roseleen Tsosie, just back from the Heard Museum Indian Market in Phoenix, will display their intricate gold and silver jewelry. Kayenta artist, David K. John, who has also just returned from the Heard Indian Market and currently has an exhibit on display in Santa Fe, will present his ethereal yei paintings, sculptures, and clay masks. Nancy Ann Chilly will bring her hand-built, pitch fired "yei" pottery. Gallup-based clothing designer Nora Christy will display her traditional and contemporary clothing. Eleanora Jim from Sheepsprings, N.M., will return with her sand painting art.
Ute Mountain Ute artist and musician, Aldean Ketchum, will sell his handmade cedar and reed flutes. Wanda Ketchum will exhibit her beadwork. Navajo silversmith, Ernie Washee, known for his sterling overlay rock art jewelry, and Navajo metal sculptor, Melvin John, will also be on hand. Navajo painter, Leo Platero, who is currently exhibiting at the Edge of the Cedars, will be displaying some of his new works, and Roger Candelaria from Santo Domingo Pueblo will exhibit traditional pottery, including storyteller figures. The art fair also includes jewelry and prints by Ambrose Mexican, who has an exhibit running at EOC, Betty and Travis Emerson's traditional Navajo "mud toys," carvings by Harry and Isabelle Benally from Sheepsprings, N.M., and sterling and coral overlay jewelry by Tony O'teo Mitchell, from Flagstaff, Ariz.
In addition to the more than 50 artists, visitors can also watch and purchase art work from demonstrators including Hopi basket weaver, Dora Sakeva, Ute Mountain Ute basket weaver, Amanda May, Navajo weaver, Anita Hathale, Ute Mountain Ute beadcrafter, Adeline Eyetoo, Navajo potter, Gregory Holiday, and Navajo fiber artist, Shirley Clarke.
The event is free and open to the public. Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum is located at 660 West, 400 North, Blanding. For information call 435-678-2238 or visit the park's website at www.utah.com/stateparks/edge_of_cedars.htm.