Joanne Hunter, Navajo Beadwork. Chinle, AZ | 2019 Joanne Hunter of Chinle, AZ, is a Navajo artist using traditional Navajo rug designs in bead work. Her beaded necklaces pass on stories through patterns and hold significant spiritual stories. She will work with her daughter, Janicelynn Yazzie.
Keith Johnson, Percussionist. Phoenix, AZ | 2019 Keith Johnson was a Phoenix-based percussionist who plays rhythms from Africa and the African diaspora and builds traditional instruments and costumes. He worked with apprentice, Rohan Williams, to teach the artform of making and playing drums and other instruments. He died Dec. 21, 2024. In 2022-23, Keith was … Read more
Tamara Khachatryan, Violinist. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Tamara Khachatryan is an Armenian-born violinist, who worked with her daughter Angelina, to transmit knowledge about Armenian culture and folk music.
Zach Lihatsh, Blacksmith. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Zach Lihatsh is a blacksmith who has trained with teachers from Italy, Germany, Sweden, Estonia and throughout the United States. He worked with apprentice, Austin Rose, a former student at Pima Community College.
Diana Olivares, Mariachi Vocalist. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Diana Olivares is a mariachi vocalist who has taught vocal workshops for the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos, and Mariachi Azltán de Pueblo High School. She will work with apprentice, Giselle-Paris Aubrey.
Barbara Teller Ornelas, Navajo Weaver. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Barbara Teller Ornelas is a fifth generation tapestry artist who carries on the family tradition of Navajo weaving. She wored with apprentice Velma Craig.
Adrian Perez, Mexican Folk Harp Player. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Adrian Perez plays Mexican folk harp, which traces traditional roots to jarocho music of the southern coast of Veracruz and mariachi music from western Mexican states of Jalisco and Michoacan. He will work with apprentice Ivan Miranda.
Anne Pollack, Capoerista. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Anna Pollack has trained and practiced Afro-Brazilian capoeira and traditional Afro-Brazilian music and dance for 33 years. She worked with apprentice Aidan Miller-Wells passing on capoeira forms and instrument-making.
Carlos Valenzuela, Mixed Media Artist. Tucson, AZ | 2019 Carlos Valenzuela works in mixed media of glass, ceramic tile and clay who taught tile-making for many years through the Pima County youth program, Las Artes. He worked with Jacob Robles, a community organizer and muralist.
David Yubeta, Adobe Maker. Tucson, AZ | 2019 David Yubeta is an adobe brick maker and conservator of earthen architecture who spent 25 years preserving earthen resources in the arid Southwest for the National Park Service. He worked with apprentice Rachel Roberts.