Weavers

We had our Navajo Rug Auction this past weekend. I've been doing Auctions like these with the folks at the RB Burnham Trading Post for almost ten years now, in Prescott and now in Flagstaff. The Burnhams make the Auctions fun, engaging and built around a casual atmosphere that draws people in.

The best part about the Auction, though, is the direct marketplace that is created for Navajo weavers. Weavers, in general, don't receive the esteem and kudos I believe they deserve for creating such high quality fine craft. There were at least a dozen weavers in attendance at this most recent Navajo Rug Auction. I find there is such a great value that is created for artists and community when we can find new ways for artists to market their work directly to audience, and sell it. That's how the Auction works. That's one of the reasons it is such a quality event.

For each of those weavers in attendance, they sold at least one of their weavings. Knowing how much of a challenge it can be for weavers on the reservation to sell their work and make a living from it, it was truly powerful to see them take home payment from one of our events.

We'll continue doing these Auctions. They help us raise money for our work (and that of the Museum of N. Arizona). They drive our mission. But perhaps best of all, they provide an essential marketplace for weavers to sell their work and receive some of the recognition they deserve as quality artists.

Our next Auction will be in June 2010.

Cheers,
JT