Susana Arellano, Yoeme Craft and Curanderismo. Tucson, AZ | 2021 Susana Arellano is a Tucson curandera who learned the practice of healing the heavy-hearted and the art of making ojos de venado (deer eyes), a protective amulet within Yaqui culture from Nana Mary Lue, a Yoeme medicine woman from Tucson’s Pascua Yaqui community. With over … Read more
Karen Kahe Charley, Hopi Potter. First Mesa, AZ | 2021 Karen Kahe Charley is a Hopi potter from Sitsomovi village on First Mesa in northeastern Arizona. A member of the Butterfly and Badger Clan, Karen was encouraged by her grandmother, Emma Adams, to play with clay and make small pottery. She joined family and community … Read more
Andrea Hoag, Fiddler (Swedish). Tucson, AZ | 2021 Andrea Hoag is an accomplished Swedish fiddler from Tucson, Arizona by way of Seattle, Washington. Surrounded by Scandinavian community and traditional practices, Andrea learned to fiddle from Swedish elders who learned from others before the introduction of radio and broader access to music across regions and communities. … Read more
Karen Falkenstrom, Taiko Drum Maker. Tucson, AZ | 2021 Karen Falkenstrom is a taiko drum maker from Tucson, Arizona. Founder of Odaiko Sonora, Tucson’s Japanese drumming ensemble, Karen has been building Japanese drums for over 19 years and is recognized as one of North America’s top builders of wine barrel taiko. She will work with … Read more
Celestino Fernández, Corrido Composer/Scholar. Tucson, AZ | 2021 Celestino Fernández is a Tucson-based corrido scholar (and composer) who was raised in Santa Ines in Michoacán, Mexico. For 35 years, his scholarship on corridos has helped communicate the importance of this tradition, including its present-day iterations. His work aims to preserve tradition for future generations of … Read more
Kyle Kootswatewa, Hopi Basket Weaver. Lower Mungapi, AZ | 2021 Kyle Kootswatewa is a Hopi basket weaver from Lower Mungapi village on the Hopi Reservation. Born into the Kachina clan, he was immersed in his culture and ceremonial teachings and gifted with the purpose of learning Hopi basketry and culture. Urged on by his great … Read more
Magdalena Nowacka-Jannotta, Wycinanki. Tucson, AZ | 2021 Magdalena Nowacka-Jannotta creates wycinanki, or papercuttings, in the Polish tradition using sheepshears to cut and collage brightly colored paper into traditional scenes and designs. She first learned the form in the mountains of southern Poland and later demonstrated the form for more than two decades at Tucson Meet … Read more
Momoko Okada, Japanese Traditional Metalsmith. Tucson, AZ. | 2021 Momoko Okada is a Tucson-based metalsmith originally from Hokkaido, Japan. After pursuing art degrees abroad, Momoko reconnected with tradition by apprenticing with the last kashima-style Nunome master, Master Kashima, in 2004. Since then, she’s worked to spread the use of traditional Japanese metalsmithing techniques worldwide. She … Read more
Angelina Ramirez, Flamenco Dancer. Tucson, AZ | 2021 Angelina Ramirez is a flamenco dancer and instructor from Tucson, Arizona. Angelina has been active in the flamenco community for 32 years and calls flamenco “more than just a genre one practices; it is a lifestyle.” Her dance and choreography seek to challenge stereotypes of the artform, … Read more
Matilde Vargas Santa Cruz. Sonoran Cook/Foodways. Tucson, AZ | 2021 Matilde Vargas Santa Cruz began cooking with her mother in their outdoor kitchen in Imuris, Sonora. Her recipes are specific to the region of Sonora and carry the traditions of generations of families with a relationship with the land. She is now known in Tucson … Read more