For Immediate Release: April 15, 2003
Contact: Michael Williams, 970.882.4811

Hopi Basketry Demonstrations at Anasazi Heritage Center

Master basket makers from the Hopi mesas will demonstrate their craft this Saturday and Sunday at the Anasazi Heritage Center, in connection with the current special exhibit "A Celebration of Southwestern Basketweaving."

Flora Lomayestewa and Dora Tsikewa are elders from Second Mesa, Arizona. Ms. Lomayestewa specializes in rod-and-coil construction technique, while Ms. Tsikewa creates colorful plaited plaques which are sometimes referred to as sifting baskets. Together the two have more than a century of basket making experience between them. They will work throughout the weekend in the museum's Special Exhibit gallery, sharing their skills and answering questions from visitors.

Most Native American tribes have or had a tradition of making baskets, although the practice is time-consuming and rarely earns enough to support the maker. Gathering and preparing the raw materials is almost as much work as the weaving itself. Nevertheless, basketry has experienced a renaissance in recent years as a means to sustain community pride and family relationships.

"A Celebration of Southwestern Basketweaving" is on loan from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. The Tohono O’odam Community of southern Arizona and the ATLATL network of Native American artists contributed to its production. Funding was also provided by the Folk and Traditional Arts Program of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Western States Arts Foundation.

The Anasazi Heritage Center is a museum located three miles west of Dolores, and is open seven days a week from 9 to 5. Exhibits and special programs are funded directly by visitor entry fees (adults $3, children free) as part of the Fee Demonstration Program. This Bureau of Land Management museum is also the information center for the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. For more information, call 970.882.4811, or visit the museum’s web site at www.co.blm.gov/ahc/hmepge.htm.

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