You-Tube

"Navajo Weaving in the Present Tense" at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
     The Art of Lucy and Ellen Begay
                February 16 – May 2, 2010

                                                                                              Catalog "Unbroken Web": order and preview

Navajo Weaving in the Present Tense: The Art of Lucy and Ellen Begay

is the first retrospective exhibition by Navajo weavers Lucy Begay and her daughter Ellen Begay.

Drawn primarily from the private collection of Gary Beaudoin, the exhibit features eighteen,

one-of-a-kind artworks woven by Lucy and Ellen over the past twenty years.

The Begays’ work, deeply integrated into their traditional lifestyle, is strongly rooted in

and draws inspiration from what has become known as the Burntwater Navajo rug weaving style,

one of the last regional styles to evolve in the mid-20th century.

Steve Getzwiller has worked with Ellen and Lucy since the early 1980s and has always encouraged

and supported them.  His support enabled them to weave the best quality weavings - both in design and color. 

Steve has provided them with the finest hand dyed Churro wool for their weavings for the past

15 years, which can can up to a year to weave.  Their weavings are very highly detailed, fine, and tightly woven.

Exquisite is one word that might describe their talent!

Opening Reception:   February 20, Saturday, 1-3pm

Opening Reception and Community Forum:

Navajo Weaving in the Present Tense: Three Perspectives
Get a rare glimpse into the fascinating, fertile world of present-day Navajo
weaving with a panel discussion with collector Gary Beaudoin, Navajo weaver
Brenda Spencer, and Teresa J. Wilkins, Professor of Anthropology at the
University of New Mexico.

The community forum follows a reception starting at 1pm.

Tickets $15 general, $10 members and students. Tickets are available at
www.sjquiltmuseum.org or by phone at 408.971.0323 x14. Advance registration
suggested.

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles

520 South First Street  
San José, CA 95113
408-971-0323
www.sjquiltmuseum.org

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday–Sunday 10am –5pm
Admission free to members and children under 13.

General Admission:
adults: $8.00, seniors and students: $6.50
Free admission on the first Friday of each month.
This exhibition is co-presented by: American Indian Alliance of Santa Clara County; Stanford
Native American Cultural Center; and California Indian Basketweavers Association
Funding provided, in part, by: The National Museum of the American Indian; The Windgate
Foundation; Friends of Fiber Art International; The David and Lucile Packard Foundation;
Windgate Charitable Foundation; Arts Council Silicon Valley in partnership with the County
of Santa Clara and the National Endowment for the Arts; the City of San Jose; and the Santa
Clara Valley Quilt Association.