{"id":8932495229150,"title":"Quail Creek Crossing - An Expert Share the story of Navajo Rugs - September 2017","handle":"quail-creek-crossing-an-expert-share-the-story-of-navajo-rugs-september-2017","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/archives.robsonpublishing.com\/books\/nyqu\/#p=8\" title=\"Magnify the article - click here\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Quail_Creek_Crossing_grande.jpg?v=1506365296\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAn expert shares the story of Navajo Rugs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreen Valley News - Quail Creek Crossing - September 2017\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe upcoming Quail Creek Kino Lecture Series will premier with a talk by Navajo rug expert Steve Getzwiller of Nizhoni Ranch Gallery in Sonoita, on Monday, October 9, 2017, from 7:00-8:00 p.s. in the Quail Creek Madera Ballroom in Green Valley. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs one of the country's top collectors, dealers and experts, Steve will share his extensive knowledge of Navajo rugs, their history, styles and current trends. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBringing examples, Steve will illustrate and explain the connection between the art of Navajo rug weaving and the artists behind both traditional and contemporary weavings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince obtaining his first rug at the age of 18, Steve Getzwiller has made it his life’s work to preserve and foster the art of Navajo rug weaving. He currently sponsors talented weavers ranging in age from 17 to 90; weavers he has worked with over decades and whom he regards as family. Through collaborative efforts, they have set high standards, increased sales and improved marketing. Steve has also purchased a flock of Churro sheep for a family of weavers to have access to the wool traditionally used by the Navajo. The flock is currently being tended by a Navajo family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to supplying a source of high quality wool, Steve purchases only the best dyes traditionally used by the Navajo: cochineal and indigo as well as contemporary dyes from Switzerland. By meeting Steve’s high standards, his weavers have repeatedly won first place honors at the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/blogs\/news\/and-the-winners-are-2017\" title=\"2017 Competition results - including Helene Nez' Best of Weavings Bistie Navajo Rug\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial competition\u003c\/a\u003e held each year in August.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteve Getzwiller's visit is cosponsored by the Women of Quail Creek (TWOCQ) Scholarship Committee and the Quail Creek Education Committee. Proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to TWOCQ's Scholarship Fund. This fund annually sponsors scholarships for senior girls at the two Sahuarita Unified District High Schools and supports Women in Transition returning to school to pursue educational goals.\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2025-08-28T11:57:05-07:00","created_at":"2025-05-30T10:37:45-07:00","vendor":"Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","type":"","tags":["About Us","no-price-showing"],"price":1,"price_min":1,"price_max":1,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46883427614942,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":null,"requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Quail Creek Crossing - An Expert Share the story of Navajo Rugs - September 2017","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":1,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":null,"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/QC-1200.png?v=1748626831"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/QC-1200.png?v=1748626831","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":36357488771294,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":5.0,"height":240,"width":1200,"src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/QC-1200.png?v=1748626831"},"aspect_ratio":5.0,"height":240,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/QC-1200.png?v=1748626831","width":1200}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/archives.robsonpublishing.com\/books\/nyqu\/#p=8\" title=\"Magnify the article - click here\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Quail_Creek_Crossing_grande.jpg?v=1506365296\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAn expert shares the story of Navajo Rugs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreen Valley News - Quail Creek Crossing - September 2017\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe upcoming Quail Creek Kino Lecture Series will premier with a talk by Navajo rug expert Steve Getzwiller of Nizhoni Ranch Gallery in Sonoita, on Monday, October 9, 2017, from 7:00-8:00 p.s. in the Quail Creek Madera Ballroom in Green Valley. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs one of the country's top collectors, dealers and experts, Steve will share his extensive knowledge of Navajo rugs, their history, styles and current trends. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBringing examples, Steve will illustrate and explain the connection between the art of Navajo rug weaving and the artists behind both traditional and contemporary weavings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince obtaining his first rug at the age of 18, Steve Getzwiller has made it his life’s work to preserve and foster the art of Navajo rug weaving. He currently sponsors talented weavers ranging in age from 17 to 90; weavers he has worked with over decades and whom he regards as family. Through collaborative efforts, they have set high standards, increased sales and improved marketing. Steve has also purchased a flock of Churro sheep for a family of weavers to have access to the wool traditionally used by the Navajo. The flock is currently being tended by a Navajo family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to supplying a source of high quality wool, Steve purchases only the best dyes traditionally used by the Navajo: cochineal and indigo as well as contemporary dyes from Switzerland. By meeting Steve’s high standards, his weavers have repeatedly won first place honors at the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/blogs\/news\/and-the-winners-are-2017\" title=\"2017 Competition results - including Helene Nez' Best of Weavings Bistie Navajo Rug\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eGallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial competition\u003c\/a\u003e held each year in August.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteve Getzwiller's visit is cosponsored by the Women of Quail Creek (TWOCQ) Scholarship Committee and the Quail Creek Education Committee. Proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to TWOCQ's Scholarship Fund. This fund annually sponsors scholarships for senior girls at the two Sahuarita Unified District High Schools and supports Women in Transition returning to school to pursue educational goals.\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Quail Creek Crossing - An Expert Share the story of Navajo Rugs - September 2017

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An expert shares the story of Navajo Rugs

Green Valley News - Quail Creek Crossing - September 2017

The upcoming Quail Creek Kino Lecture Series will premier with a talk by Navajo rug expert Steve Getzwiller of Nizhoni Ranch Gallery in Sonoita, on Monday, October 9, 2017, from 7:00-8:00 p.s. in the Quail Creek Madera Ballroom in Green Valley.

As one of the country's top collectors, dealers and experts, Steve will share his extensive knowledge of Navajo rugs, their history, styles and current trends.

Bringing examples, Steve will illustrate and explain the connection between the art of Navajo rug weaving and the artists behind both traditional and contemporary weavings.

Since obtaining his first rug at the age of 18, Steve Getzwiller has made it his life’s work to preserve and foster the art of Navajo rug weaving. He currently sponsors talented weavers ranging in age from 17 to 90; weavers he has worked with over decades and whom he regards as family. Through collaborative efforts, they have set high standards, increased sales and improved marketing. Steve has also purchased a flock of Churro sheep for a family of weavers to have access to the wool traditionally used by the Navajo. The flock is currently being tended by a Navajo family.

In addition to supplying a source of high quality wool, Steve purchases only the best dyes traditionally used by the Navajo: cochineal and indigo as well as contemporary dyes from Switzerland. By meeting Steve’s high standards, his weavers have repeatedly won first place honors at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial competition held each year in August.

Steve Getzwiller's visit is cosponsored by the Women of Quail Creek (TWOCQ) Scholarship Committee and the Quail Creek Education Committee. Proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to TWOCQ's Scholarship Fund. This fund annually sponsors scholarships for senior girls at the two Sahuarita Unified District High Schools and supports Women in Transition returning to school to pursue educational goals.

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The Show Must Go On!

Steve Getzwiller quietly left this world on August 23rd , 2023 at the age of 74. He left it a more beautiful place, though, having elevated the artistry of Navajo weavings and those who created them up to a whole other level. He was born March 4th, 1949, to Marion and Kathryn “Kay” (Harrigan) Getzwiller in Benson, Arizona. He was the fourth gene...

How Steve Getzwiller's Passion for Collecting Turned into The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

{"id":8921353060574,"title":"How Steve Getzwiller's Passion for Collecting Turned into The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","handle":"how-steve-getzwillers-passion-for-collecting-turned-into-the-nizhoni-ranch-gallery","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Beginning of the Getzwiller Collection \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Steve overlooking Canyon de Chelly\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/IMG_2276_c4253fea-aba6-4a49-9277-8a34177c9874_large.JPG?v=1484528276\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 0px;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNizhoni Ranch Gallery is built on tradition and a passion for the Native People of the Southwest. The unfolding into a world-renowned gallery took more than a few turns over the last 45+ years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis quiet cowboy, whose ranching heritage goes back generations through Arizona and New Mexico territorial days and clear back to the Republic of Texas, is considered one of the premier collectors and dealers of Navajo weavings in the country.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the beginning, Steve Getzwiller’s truck served as a mobile office during his monthly (sometimes bi-monthly) journeys to the Navajo reservation. As he turned off the highway onto little more than a dirt trail, bouncing across the deep ruts, his cowboy hat slid back and forth across the dashboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe knew just about every spot on the rez where he could get a cell phone signal. When he had one, he took the opportunity to check in with his wife, Gail, back home. For Steve, these visits weren't purely business. “It’s more a family relationship than a business one,” he says. “It’s a collaborative partnership, and when you consider I’m working exclusively with the same weavers and their children (grand children now) for 10, 20, 30 years and more, that tells you something about the relationship.” Which is, truly, a deep one. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the ladies he works with are now in their 90s, (their ages range from 30s - 90s), and very few of the youngsters are taking up the craft. \u003cspan\u003e“There’s definitely mutual respect,” he says. “I’m their banker, employer, counselor, friend. Their problems become my problems.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve knows the region well. He grew up on a ranch just east of Tucson, Arizona, and spent a lot of time as a kid around the Amerind Foundation in Dragoon, a museum and research center for Native American arts and culture. Archaeologist Charles C. Di Peso, who directed the foundation for 30 years until his death in 1982, helped to spark Steve's imagination and inspired him to study anthropology at the University of Arizona. It was then that Steve began collecting Navajo Rugs at the first opportunity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “I was able to afford my first Navajo rug when I was 18 by trading my childhood collection of 0.22 rifles,” Steve says. “After I got out of college, I just went out and started living it…traveling to the reservation and buying and selling pawn jewelry and Navajo weavings.” At that time, he made the eight-hour trek twice a month. “In the early days, when all the trading posts were there, there was a lot of distance between trading posts, brokering the sale of several of the trading post rugs,” he recalls. “The traders used to call me a ‘hogan hopper’ when I started working directly with weavers. Interestingly enough, I’m one of the last ones standing.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePart of Steve’s success can be attributed to the fact that from the beginning he was not simply interested in the sale, but also in enabling the women to market their work to the world. He encouraged them to experiment and expand their designs while keeping many of the traditional patterns. His philosophy dovetailed with the Diné (Navajo) to preserve their own culture while incorporating the best of others into it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“The goal of my life’s work with the Navajo weavers has been to see how far I can push the envelope, how much I can help improve contemporary Navajo weaving and bring it to the highest level possible,” Steve says.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/products\/book-the-fine-art-of-navajo-weaving\" title='Click to view the Steve Getzwiller book \"Fine Art of Navajo Weaving\" about Navajo Rugs'\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Making History - A collaboration never done before! Results - A Masterpiece. - a Ray Manley photograph\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Ellen_Smith_Steve_grande.jpg?v=1484529534\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px;\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eBy 1984, Steve wrote the book, “\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/products\/book-the-fine-art-of-navajo-weaving\" title=\"This is the first book that those who are serious about Navajo Rugs and Blankets reach for. Get yours today!\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Fine Art of Navajo Weaving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e” with the encouragement of Ray Manley. \u003cem\u003e(photograph by Ray Manley: Steve and Ellen Smith at her loom) On the right, Steve sits with Master Weaver Ellen Smith (she is featured on the cover of the Fine Art of Navajo Weaving). \u003c\/em\u003eBetween Ray’s photographs, Steve’s connections and knowledge, and several trips to the Navajo Reservation, they co-published what turned out to be the best-selling book on Navajo Weaving. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome of the special Burntwater Rugs Steve commissioned were featured in \u003cem\u003e\"The Fine Art of Navajo Weaving\"\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/burntwater\" title=\"Burntwater Navajo Rug Style Information\"\u003eYou can read more about the \u003cem\u003eBurntwater\u003c\/em\u003e style of rugs by clicking here\u003c\/a\u003e and Arizona Highways Magazine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor all he’s done to improve the quality of the Navajo Rug and their marketability, Getzwiller has been likened to turn of the 19th century traders with the Navajo, Juan Lorenzo Hubbell and J.B. Moore.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday Steve encourages the use of the traditional Churro wool, which comes from a sheep species that was nearly wiped out twice by the federal government, but still managed to survive. (This fifth-generation cattleman even purchased his own flock, which is now in the care of a Navajo family.) He has also introduced silk and alpaca fibers to traditional weavers, creating a new market of “wearable art.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve wanted to give the weavers the recognition they deserved. Starting with his Polaroid camera, he would take photographs of the weavers with their rugs. He has boxes of old photographs going back to the 1970's, containing stories to be told and memories of some very great Navajo weaving artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve also collects historic weavings \u003cspan\u003emany of them fine antiques from different periods\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan\u003e “There’s no way of knowing who the early weavers were,” he says. “I can identify certain weavers by their weaving style and quality, but not who she was. That was his inspiration to \u003c\/span\u003eestablish the Navajo Churro Registry. It records each piece along with the artist who created it. “In a hundred years there will be no doubt who the weaver was and exactly which rugs they have created.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Navajo Rug Traders and Ray Tracy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Navajo_Traders_and_Ray_Tracy_large.jpg?v=1505257800\" style=\"float: left; margin-right: 10px;\"\u003eSteve Getzwiller, Ray Tracy (wearing a Navajo Silk Poncho from the Navajo Churro Collection), and Bill Malone, famous Hubbell Trading Post Trader (now in Gallup). They were all in Santa Fe for Indian Market. They are standing in front of a display of the Navajo Churro Collection Rugs. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ray Tracy is a famous Navajo Jeweler\/Designer, Actor \u0026amp; Model. If you ever get a chance to visit with Steve in person, he will be glad to tell you a few tall tales about Ray and Bill. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eIn 2000, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery opened in Sonoita, Arizona. This new venue allowed Steve and Gail to offer Navajo rugs to the public in a new way; clients could come and see the weavings in a ranch house setting, up close and personal! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 2016, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery started presenting exhibitions of Navajo Weavings at the gallery in Sonoita. Collectors and those who appreciate authentic Navajo weavings of the highest quality come from all over the world to view these weavings in person. At exhibition opening celebrations, Master weaver, Elsie Bia comes to the gallery with her loom to show the incredible art of Navajo weaving. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContinuing Traditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Little Chief Sean models one of the Navajo Chief Blankets\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Chief_Sean_1980_medium.jpg?v=1484526640\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px;\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNow that the Churro Sheep are back, weaving continues to be an important part of the Navajo's life!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFor Steve and Gail, hardly a day goes by without them sending a deposit on a rug to a weaver or receiving a photo of a rug on the loom under construction. Every day, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery office is also busy communicating with clients across the globe and assisting gallery visitors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteve and Gail are determined to continue helping the Navajo weaving tradition stay alive. It is important to keep \u003cem\u003eall\u003c\/em\u003e of the Navajo Traditions alive, including the Navajo language, customs, ceremonies, art, etc. They value and respect the Navajo in all ways as one of the nation’s first indigenous people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Gail with daughter Jamie, and son Sean\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/On_top_of_the_mountain_large.jpg?v=1484526664\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eAs the Getzwiller collection was being built, Gail was home with the kids and running the cattle ranch when Steve went on buying trips. In the 1970's and early 80's, there were no paved roads on the Navajo Reservation, no hotels, no GPS and no cell phones. Sometimes days went by without communication between Gail at the Getzwiller ranch and Steve on the reservation. Many stories can be told about that!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDue to this, Gail was on her own, fixing everything from fences to broken water pipes, as Steve went from one place to another camping in the back of an old suburban each night on the Navajo Nation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the Getzwillers still collecting, there are plenty more stories to come. Check out our blog from time to time for news about what is going on around the Nizhoni Ranch. We will try to let you in on some of the stories on the back roads of the Navajo Nation and more. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"entry\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2025-08-27T11:18:13-07:00","created_at":"2025-05-21T12:48:21-07:00","vendor":"Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","type":"","tags":["About Us","no-price-showing"],"price":0,"price_min":0,"price_max":0,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46796780175582,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"How Steve Getzwiller's Passion for Collecting Turned into The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":0,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/IMG_0183_58ec2304-0adf-4b23-8f18-3930436fd9f5.jpg?v=1748635621","\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1SteveGetzwiller.jpg?v=1748635621"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/IMG_0183_58ec2304-0adf-4b23-8f18-3930436fd9f5.jpg?v=1748635621","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":36358141411550,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.5,"height":1365,"width":2048,"src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/IMG_0183_58ec2304-0adf-4b23-8f18-3930436fd9f5.jpg?v=1748635621"},"aspect_ratio":1.5,"height":1365,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/IMG_0183_58ec2304-0adf-4b23-8f18-3930436fd9f5.jpg?v=1748635621","width":2048},{"alt":null,"id":36300104466654,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.665,"height":2500,"width":1663,"src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1SteveGetzwiller.jpg?v=1748635621"},"aspect_ratio":0.665,"height":2500,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1SteveGetzwiller.jpg?v=1748635621","width":1663}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Beginning of the Getzwiller Collection \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Steve overlooking Canyon de Chelly\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/IMG_2276_c4253fea-aba6-4a49-9277-8a34177c9874_large.JPG?v=1484528276\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 0px;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNizhoni Ranch Gallery is built on tradition and a passion for the Native People of the Southwest. The unfolding into a world-renowned gallery took more than a few turns over the last 45+ years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis quiet cowboy, whose ranching heritage goes back generations through Arizona and New Mexico territorial days and clear back to the Republic of Texas, is considered one of the premier collectors and dealers of Navajo weavings in the country.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the beginning, Steve Getzwiller’s truck served as a mobile office during his monthly (sometimes bi-monthly) journeys to the Navajo reservation. As he turned off the highway onto little more than a dirt trail, bouncing across the deep ruts, his cowboy hat slid back and forth across the dashboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe knew just about every spot on the rez where he could get a cell phone signal. When he had one, he took the opportunity to check in with his wife, Gail, back home. For Steve, these visits weren't purely business. “It’s more a family relationship than a business one,” he says. “It’s a collaborative partnership, and when you consider I’m working exclusively with the same weavers and their children (grand children now) for 10, 20, 30 years and more, that tells you something about the relationship.” Which is, truly, a deep one. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome of the ladies he works with are now in their 90s, (their ages range from 30s - 90s), and very few of the youngsters are taking up the craft. \u003cspan\u003e“There’s definitely mutual respect,” he says. “I’m their banker, employer, counselor, friend. Their problems become my problems.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve knows the region well. He grew up on a ranch just east of Tucson, Arizona, and spent a lot of time as a kid around the Amerind Foundation in Dragoon, a museum and research center for Native American arts and culture. Archaeologist Charles C. Di Peso, who directed the foundation for 30 years until his death in 1982, helped to spark Steve's imagination and inspired him to study anthropology at the University of Arizona. It was then that Steve began collecting Navajo Rugs at the first opportunity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “I was able to afford my first Navajo rug when I was 18 by trading my childhood collection of 0.22 rifles,” Steve says. “After I got out of college, I just went out and started living it…traveling to the reservation and buying and selling pawn jewelry and Navajo weavings.” At that time, he made the eight-hour trek twice a month. “In the early days, when all the trading posts were there, there was a lot of distance between trading posts, brokering the sale of several of the trading post rugs,” he recalls. “The traders used to call me a ‘hogan hopper’ when I started working directly with weavers. Interestingly enough, I’m one of the last ones standing.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePart of Steve’s success can be attributed to the fact that from the beginning he was not simply interested in the sale, but also in enabling the women to market their work to the world. He encouraged them to experiment and expand their designs while keeping many of the traditional patterns. His philosophy dovetailed with the Diné (Navajo) to preserve their own culture while incorporating the best of others into it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“The goal of my life’s work with the Navajo weavers has been to see how far I can push the envelope, how much I can help improve contemporary Navajo weaving and bring it to the highest level possible,” Steve says.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/products\/book-the-fine-art-of-navajo-weaving\" title='Click to view the Steve Getzwiller book \"Fine Art of Navajo Weaving\" about Navajo Rugs'\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Making History - A collaboration never done before! Results - A Masterpiece. - a Ray Manley photograph\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Ellen_Smith_Steve_grande.jpg?v=1484529534\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px;\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003eBy 1984, Steve wrote the book, “\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/products\/book-the-fine-art-of-navajo-weaving\" title=\"This is the first book that those who are serious about Navajo Rugs and Blankets reach for. Get yours today!\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Fine Art of Navajo Weaving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e” with the encouragement of Ray Manley. \u003cem\u003e(photograph by Ray Manley: Steve and Ellen Smith at her loom) On the right, Steve sits with Master Weaver Ellen Smith (she is featured on the cover of the Fine Art of Navajo Weaving). \u003c\/em\u003eBetween Ray’s photographs, Steve’s connections and knowledge, and several trips to the Navajo Reservation, they co-published what turned out to be the best-selling book on Navajo Weaving. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"float: right;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome of the special Burntwater Rugs Steve commissioned were featured in \u003cem\u003e\"The Fine Art of Navajo Weaving\"\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/burntwater\" title=\"Burntwater Navajo Rug Style Information\"\u003eYou can read more about the \u003cem\u003eBurntwater\u003c\/em\u003e style of rugs by clicking here\u003c\/a\u003e and Arizona Highways Magazine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor all he’s done to improve the quality of the Navajo Rug and their marketability, Getzwiller has been likened to turn of the 19th century traders with the Navajo, Juan Lorenzo Hubbell and J.B. Moore.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eToday Steve encourages the use of the traditional Churro wool, which comes from a sheep species that was nearly wiped out twice by the federal government, but still managed to survive. (This fifth-generation cattleman even purchased his own flock, which is now in the care of a Navajo family.) He has also introduced silk and alpaca fibers to traditional weavers, creating a new market of “wearable art.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve wanted to give the weavers the recognition they deserved. Starting with his Polaroid camera, he would take photographs of the weavers with their rugs. He has boxes of old photographs going back to the 1970's, containing stories to be told and memories of some very great Navajo weaving artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve also collects historic weavings \u003cspan\u003emany of them fine antiques from different periods\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003cspan\u003e “There’s no way of knowing who the early weavers were,” he says. “I can identify certain weavers by their weaving style and quality, but not who she was. That was his inspiration to \u003c\/span\u003eestablish the Navajo Churro Registry. It records each piece along with the artist who created it. “In a hundred years there will be no doubt who the weaver was and exactly which rugs they have created.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Navajo Rug Traders and Ray Tracy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Navajo_Traders_and_Ray_Tracy_large.jpg?v=1505257800\" style=\"float: left; margin-right: 10px;\"\u003eSteve Getzwiller, Ray Tracy (wearing a Navajo Silk Poncho from the Navajo Churro Collection), and Bill Malone, famous Hubbell Trading Post Trader (now in Gallup). They were all in Santa Fe for Indian Market. They are standing in front of a display of the Navajo Churro Collection Rugs. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Ray Tracy is a famous Navajo Jeweler\/Designer, Actor \u0026amp; Model. If you ever get a chance to visit with Steve in person, he will be glad to tell you a few tall tales about Ray and Bill. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eIn 2000, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery opened in Sonoita, Arizona. This new venue allowed Steve and Gail to offer Navajo rugs to the public in a new way; clients could come and see the weavings in a ranch house setting, up close and personal! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 2016, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery started presenting exhibitions of Navajo Weavings at the gallery in Sonoita. Collectors and those who appreciate authentic Navajo weavings of the highest quality come from all over the world to view these weavings in person. At exhibition opening celebrations, Master weaver, Elsie Bia comes to the gallery with her loom to show the incredible art of Navajo weaving. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eContinuing Traditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Little Chief Sean models one of the Navajo Chief Blankets\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Chief_Sean_1980_medium.jpg?v=1484526640\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 10px;\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNow that the Churro Sheep are back, weaving continues to be an important part of the Navajo's life!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFor Steve and Gail, hardly a day goes by without them sending a deposit on a rug to a weaver or receiving a photo of a rug on the loom under construction. Every day, the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery office is also busy communicating with clients across the globe and assisting gallery visitors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteve and Gail are determined to continue helping the Navajo weaving tradition stay alive. It is important to keep \u003cem\u003eall\u003c\/em\u003e of the Navajo Traditions alive, including the Navajo language, customs, ceremonies, art, etc. They value and respect the Navajo in all ways as one of the nation’s first indigenous people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Gail with daughter Jamie, and son Sean\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/On_top_of_the_mountain_large.jpg?v=1484526664\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eAs the Getzwiller collection was being built, Gail was home with the kids and running the cattle ranch when Steve went on buying trips. In the 1970's and early 80's, there were no paved roads on the Navajo Reservation, no hotels, no GPS and no cell phones. Sometimes days went by without communication between Gail at the Getzwiller ranch and Steve on the reservation. Many stories can be told about that!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDue to this, Gail was on her own, fixing everything from fences to broken water pipes, as Steve went from one place to another camping in the back of an old suburban each night on the Navajo Nation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the Getzwillers still collecting, there are plenty more stories to come. Check out our blog from time to time for news about what is going on around the Nizhoni Ranch. We will try to let you in on some of the stories on the back roads of the Navajo Nation and more. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"entry\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e"}

How Steve Getzwiller's Passion for Collecting Turned into The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery

The Beginning of the Getzwiller Collection Nizhoni Ranch Gallery is built on tradition and a passion for the Native People of the Southwest. The unfolding into a world-renowned gallery took more than a few turns over the last 45+ years. This quiet cowboy, whose ranching heritage goes back generations through Arizona and New Mexico terri...

History of the Getzwiller Navajo Churro Collection

{"id":8921342181598,"title":"History of the Getzwiller Navajo Churro Collection","handle":"history-of-the-getzwiller-navajo-churro-collection","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/1ea6c87e1b7c0e93a0d2d1051a6c4e4c.jpg?v=1747769313\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the 1990s the quality and uniqueness of Navajo weavings was on the decline. Steve met with an old friend, Ray Dewey, in Santa Fe and they discussed how the quality of Navajo weavings could be improved. The answer was improve the quality of the wool and dyes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor hundreds of years Churro sheep have been the center of Navajo life. Navajo churro wool was the first weaving wool of the Navajo Nation because of its low lanolin content, long staple and translucent qualities. Unfortunately the churro sheep were nearly exterminated by outside forces. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/historic\" title=\"Getzwiller Historic Navajo Rug Collection\"\u003eGetzwiller Historic Textile (GHT) collection\u003c\/a\u003e exists beautiful pieces that are 100 years old, woven with Churro wool. Which confirms \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003echurro wool is the best and only becomes better with time. T\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehis conclusion planted the seed with Steve to bring Navajo churro wool back to the loom. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve was able to find the source of the Navajo Churro Registry where the genetics were being perfected for a better fleece.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNext, Steve found dye artists to dye the wool by hand for what would later be called the \u003ca title=\"Churro Collection\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection?sort_by=price-ascending\"\u003e'Navajo Churro Collection'\u003c\/a\u003e. Though it seems like a simple thing, this took several years to put together. The final step was finding the best weavers on the Nation who were willing to use the Churro wool. The weavers were thrilled with the wool and loved the new colors (Indigo, Cochineal and the highest quality dyes from Switzerland). With that, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection\" title=\"highest quality Navajo weavings created with churro sheep wool\"\u003eNavajo Churro Collection\u003c\/a\u003e was born.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe result of this project is history making in itself. For one thing the Navajo Churro Sheep are no longer on the endangered species list. Some of the very best master weavers of the Navajo nation are able to work on projects in the Navajo Churro Collection that they otherwise would not be able to do. They are given the very best wool which is hand dyed and custom spun ready for them to weave on their loom; the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery supports them through the weaving process even if it takes years for them to complete. A registry is kept of each weaving documenting the weaver, a photo of her, and the weaving. It is very important that in 100 years from now, the weavers will be recognized for their work.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Navajo Churro Collection Weaving project is playing a part in preserving the Navajo weaving art in the Navajo culture. The Navajo Churro Collection celebrates the Navajo weavers and the art of the loom. The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery exclusively offers these weavings to the world, which represent some of the finest Navajo weavings ever made. Steve and Gail will continue their work and hope that one of the benefits of this project will be for young Navajos to take up this very difficult and beautiful art form, as it is a legacy well worth preserving.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday “\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection?sort_by=price-ascending\" title=\"Churro Collection\"\u003eThe Navajo Churro Collection\u003c\/a\u003e” is a premier collection of contemporary Navajo Weavings, which are exclusively commissioned by Steve, from the Churro wool he provides to some of the most capable Navajo-weaving artists of today. The fleece of this registered line of Churro sheep is of the highest quality available. All of the wool is completely hand washed and custom spun. The dyes utilized consist of natural vegetal dyes and the finest Swiss aniline dyes. All colors are dyed by hand in small batches to achieve the highest grade of variegated reach hues. The natural wool colors are also custom spun to create rich and variegated grays, browns, and tans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/2_1f5f497c-0c02-4efc-8f6c-7a5f2b6d2b28.jpg?v=1747769728\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNavajo Churro Master Weavers, (L to R) Elsie Bia, Gloria Hardy and Cara Yazzie\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2025-08-27T11:21:30-07:00","created_at":"2025-05-21T12:37:28-07:00","vendor":"Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","type":"","tags":["About Us","no-price-showing"],"price":0,"price_min":0,"price_max":0,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46796470943966,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"History of the Getzwiller Navajo Churro Collection","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":0,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1218_Navajo_Germantown_Rug_large_208d267f-d439-4cca-8a58-947bf3206e58.jpg?v=1747857806"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1218_Navajo_Germantown_Rug_large_208d267f-d439-4cca-8a58-947bf3206e58.jpg?v=1747857806","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":36300153356510,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.055,"height":455,"width":480,"src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1218_Navajo_Germantown_Rug_large_208d267f-d439-4cca-8a58-947bf3206e58.jpg?v=1747857806"},"aspect_ratio":1.055,"height":455,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1218_Navajo_Germantown_Rug_large_208d267f-d439-4cca-8a58-947bf3206e58.jpg?v=1747857806","width":480}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/1ea6c87e1b7c0e93a0d2d1051a6c4e4c.jpg?v=1747769313\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the 1990s the quality and uniqueness of Navajo weavings was on the decline. Steve met with an old friend, Ray Dewey, in Santa Fe and they discussed how the quality of Navajo weavings could be improved. The answer was improve the quality of the wool and dyes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor hundreds of years Churro sheep have been the center of Navajo life. Navajo churro wool was the first weaving wool of the Navajo Nation because of its low lanolin content, long staple and translucent qualities. Unfortunately the churro sheep were nearly exterminated by outside forces. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/historic\" title=\"Getzwiller Historic Navajo Rug Collection\"\u003eGetzwiller Historic Textile (GHT) collection\u003c\/a\u003e exists beautiful pieces that are 100 years old, woven with Churro wool. Which confirms \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003echurro wool is the best and only becomes better with time. T\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehis conclusion planted the seed with Steve to bring Navajo churro wool back to the loom. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve was able to find the source of the Navajo Churro Registry where the genetics were being perfected for a better fleece.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNext, Steve found dye artists to dye the wool by hand for what would later be called the \u003ca title=\"Churro Collection\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection?sort_by=price-ascending\"\u003e'Navajo Churro Collection'\u003c\/a\u003e. Though it seems like a simple thing, this took several years to put together. The final step was finding the best weavers on the Nation who were willing to use the Churro wool. The weavers were thrilled with the wool and loved the new colors (Indigo, Cochineal and the highest quality dyes from Switzerland). With that, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection\" title=\"highest quality Navajo weavings created with churro sheep wool\"\u003eNavajo Churro Collection\u003c\/a\u003e was born.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe result of this project is history making in itself. For one thing the Navajo Churro Sheep are no longer on the endangered species list. Some of the very best master weavers of the Navajo nation are able to work on projects in the Navajo Churro Collection that they otherwise would not be able to do. They are given the very best wool which is hand dyed and custom spun ready for them to weave on their loom; the Nizhoni Ranch Gallery supports them through the weaving process even if it takes years for them to complete. A registry is kept of each weaving documenting the weaver, a photo of her, and the weaving. It is very important that in 100 years from now, the weavers will be recognized for their work.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Navajo Churro Collection Weaving project is playing a part in preserving the Navajo weaving art in the Navajo culture. The Navajo Churro Collection celebrates the Navajo weavers and the art of the loom. The Nizhoni Ranch Gallery exclusively offers these weavings to the world, which represent some of the finest Navajo weavings ever made. Steve and Gail will continue their work and hope that one of the benefits of this project will be for young Navajos to take up this very difficult and beautiful art form, as it is a legacy well worth preserving.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday “\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/churro-collection?sort_by=price-ascending\" title=\"Churro Collection\"\u003eThe Navajo Churro Collection\u003c\/a\u003e” is a premier collection of contemporary Navajo Weavings, which are exclusively commissioned by Steve, from the Churro wool he provides to some of the most capable Navajo-weaving artists of today. The fleece of this registered line of Churro sheep is of the highest quality available. All of the wool is completely hand washed and custom spun. The dyes utilized consist of natural vegetal dyes and the finest Swiss aniline dyes. All colors are dyed by hand in small batches to achieve the highest grade of variegated reach hues. The natural wool colors are also custom spun to create rich and variegated grays, browns, and tans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/2_1f5f497c-0c02-4efc-8f6c-7a5f2b6d2b28.jpg?v=1747769728\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eNavajo Churro Master Weavers, (L to R) Elsie Bia, Gloria Hardy and Cara Yazzie\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}

History of the Getzwiller Navajo Churro Collection

In the 1990s the quality and uniqueness of Navajo weavings was on the decline. Steve met with an old friend, Ray Dewey, in Santa Fe and they discussed how the quality of Navajo weavings could be improved. The answer was improve the quality of the wool and dyes. For hundreds of years Churro sheep have been the center of Navajo life. Navajo ch...

Exhibits and Shows

{"id":8936789934302,"title":"Exhibits and Shows","handle":"exhibits-and-shows","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeec Nos Pos Exhibit - (February 2020 - October 2020) Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003eSteve has always had special appreciation for the Teec Nos Pos design. The design is one of the most difficult to weave aside from Bisti. So it is no surprise Steve has collected some of the most beautiful Teec Nos Pos rugs ever woven. Some experts agree Teec Nos Pos design, as far as quality goes hit it's peak in the late 1920's and then into the 1930's. Let's fast forward to the 1980's. Steve met a family of weavers, Grace Nez and her 7 daughters in the Navajo area who wove mostly the Teec Nos Pos design. Steve began working with them to elevate the design style and quality. When Steve re-introduced Churro wool back into the weaving world, the Nez Family hit the stratosphere. The only limitation the Nez Family encountered was space. Hogans are one room with low ceilings. Steve knew if they had a place large enough to handle multiple looms the Nez weavers could all weave at the same time. Steve also knew if the ceilings were high enough, the Nez Family could weave big rugs. Steve and Gail helped the Nez Family build a hogan just for weaving. Grace especially wove incredible weavings - one of her biggest was 10' x 15'.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/products\/Churro500grace_300x.jpg?v=1585283487\" alt=\"Teec Nos Pos Navajo Weaving : Grace Nez : Churro 500 : 10' x 15' - Getzwiller's Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/teec-nos-pos-gallery-show-2020\" title=\"Teec Nos Pos Gallery Show\"\u003eClick here to watch video of the Teec Nos Pos Exhibit Gallery Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIN TRANSITION Exhibition - The Transitional Period 1890's - 1910 (September 2019 - February 2020) Nizhoni Ranch Gallery AZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTime changes life for everyone, and that’s especially true for the Navajo. During the last part of 19th century, trading posts opened up and traditional life for the Navajo began to evolve rapidly; especially when it came to Navajo weavers. It was with the changes to wool, newly available dyes, and the transition from wearing blankets to floor rugs; that gave way to this “transitional” period and thus, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/transitional?sort_by=price-ascending\" title=\"Native American Indian Transitional rugs and blankets\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransitional Rugs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e were born. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/transitional-gallery-show\" title=\"Transitional American Indian Rug and Blanket Show\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContinue Reading, see Images and video of the In Transition Exhibit Gallery Show\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/transitional-gallery-show\" title=\"Transitional American Indian Rug and Blanket Show\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Transitional-American-Indian-Rugs-Vintage-Group-2_480x480.jpg?v=1568232040\" alt=\"Transitional Native American Rugs on the Wall at Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/blogs\/news\/heard-hit-is-out-of-the-park\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e________________________________________________________________\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Heard Museum exhibit COLOR RIOT !, How color Changed Navajo Textiles (April - September 2019)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe are proud to participate in this exhibit! Some of our most visually interesting weavings are featured in this excellent show - 14 to be exact. We hope everyone interested in Navajo weavings has an opportunity to see this exciting event!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/blogs\/news\/heard-hit-is-out-of-the-park\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of the Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/19_ColorRiot_Graphic_large.png?v=1554747824\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMASTER WEAVINGS OF THE NAVAJO CHURRO COLLECTION (March 2019-August 2019 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve and Gail's love of Navajo weaving started as a passion for collecting, that morphed into a business and then into a gallery. In the 1990's they started the Navajo Churro Collection - providing the weavers with Navajo Churro Wool that was custom spun and hand dyed with the finest natural and aniline dyes available. The real artistry comes from the weavers magically putting the wefts into a spacial design - that is at times beyond belief. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/master-weavings-of-the-navajo-churro-collection\" title=\"Master Weavers of the Navajo Churro Collection\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of the Gallery Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Cropped_Cover_large.jpg?v=1554326115\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTIMELESS TREASURE OF TWO GREY HILLS (2017-2018 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically traders encouraged unique and signature designs for Navajo rugs in their particular area. In the case of Toadlena and Two Grey Hills they worked to enhance marketability and cultivate regional styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exhibit highlights differing phases of influence on the Navajo weaver. Showcasing historic textiles we have collected over the years, as well as those commissioned from weavers we have worked with over the last 45 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/timeless-treasures-of-two-gray-hills\" title=\"Read more about the Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills Exhibit\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Helen_Tauglechena_Nez_24727bf6-c421-449d-a89b-a2cdffc07056_large.jpg?v=1554744746\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOne Trader’s Legacy: Steve Getzwiller Collects the West (2017- ) Wickenburg AZ DCWM\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve Getzwiller, cowboy, collector, and Indian trader-started his lifelong passion for collecting the west and Native American artifacts nearly 50 years ago, beginning as a teenager with his exposure to the Amerind Museum and mentor Charles C. Di Peso. A natural trader, he has become known for his work with weavers from the Navajo Nation. While Getzwiller has collaborated with multiple museums to present exhibitions of historic and contemporary Navajo Textiles,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne Trader’s Legacy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emarks the first time that Getzwiller’s personal collection of rugs, paintings, pottery, baskets, Apache Material, saddles, guns and more will be on public view.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-2017-2018-one-traders-legacy\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-2017-2018-one-traders-legacy\" alt=\"\" title=\"Collectibiles over a lifetime\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/steve7_na_large.jpg?v=1488391122\" alt=\"\" title=\"Steve Getzwiller | Image: Guy Atchley\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNAVAJO TEXTILES AS MODERN ART (2017 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003cbr\u003e Our goal for this exhibition is to present a wide variety of Navajo textiles which represent many facets of Modern Art, from minimalism to multi-dimensional design concepts. There is always the question of what came first? Whatever the theory - The Navajo Weaver is part of the mix and was generally far ahead of their time. \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/encore-encore-encore-by-susan-sorg?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=9129b9405\u0026amp;_ss=r\" title=\"Encore!\"\u003eRead here the article Encore! Encore! Encore! by Susan Sorg about this great show.\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-navajo-textiles-as-modern-art\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-navajo-textiles-as-modern-art\" alt=\"\" title=\"Navajo Textiles as Modern Art - Look, Learn, and Shop!\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/gallerya_480x480.jpg?v=1494538756\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e__________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTHE DAZZLED EYE EXHIBITION (2017 Tucson Desert Art Museum)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFeaturing selections from world-renowned collectors Steve and Gail Getzwiller, The Dazzled Eye contrasts these works of woven art with American Op Art by exploring the popularity and history of Navajo Eyedazzlers and optical weavings. This exhibition will also show how these works by Navajo weavers epitomize Navajo aesthetics and a mindfulness of movement.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-the-dazzled-eye-2017\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-the-dazzled-eye-2017\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Dazzled Eye Exhibit - Look, Learn, and Shop!\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/The-Dazzled-Eye-postcard-1_480x480.jpg?v=1494535880\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e_______________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePAINTING WITH WOOL EXHIBITION (2016 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePAINTING WITH WOOL, is an historic event for Steve and Gail Getzwiller, as it is the second exhibit and sale at their own gallery. A large turn out made it a great success and the gracious presence of Elsie Bia, Master Weaver, again demonstrating at her loom, was the frosting on the cake.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca class=\"continue_read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-painting-with-wool\" title=\"Continue Reading and see images from the Painting with Wool exhibit\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-painting-with-wool\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Painting With Wool Exhibit - Look, Learn, and Shop!\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/painting_with_wool_2016.jpg?v=1479499145\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: WOVEN HOLY PEOPLE (2016 Sonoita AZ: NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWoven Holy People was an historic event for Steve and Gail Getzwiller, as it was the first exhibit and sale at their own gallery. It turned out to be a great success and so, more exhibits are planned.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-holy-people-2014\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_img\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-holy-people-2014\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Woven Holy People Exhibit - Look, Learn, and Shop!\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/woven_holy_people_2016_480x480.jpg?v=1479499146\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e _________________________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003eEXHIBIT: WOVEN NATION (2014 Tubac AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePaying homage to the Navajo Nation's greatest weavers and the art from their historic past. This exhibit celebrates the Navajo Nation's Weaving Art, like no other! Historic Blankets Child's Blankets, and Serapes, early regional styles of the Navajo Nation showing the various Trading Post Regions of the Navajo Reservation.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-nation-2014\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-nation-2014\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Woven Nation Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Woven-Nation1_480x480.jpg?v=1479251207\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: NAVAJO WEAVING IN THE PRESENT TENSE (2010 San Jose CA)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNavajo Weaving in the Present Tense: The Art of Lucy and Ellen Begay is the first retrospective exhibition by Navajo weavers Lucy Begay and her only 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.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-san-jose-museum-of-quilts-textiles-2010\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-san-jose-museum-of-quilts-textiles-2010\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Navajo Weaving in the Present Tense Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Weaving_in_present_tense_2010_480x480.jpg?v=1479499146\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e______________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSouthwest Design Conference (2007 Santa Fe NM)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThe Southwestern Design Conference was a special event held in 2007 in Santa Fe New Mexico - a Showcase for the best Southwestern Interior Design Ideas. It \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewas also an offshoot of the Western Design Conference in Cody Wyoming.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-southwest-design-conference-2005\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of the Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-southwest-design-conference-2005\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Southwest Design Conference\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/DSC02322_large.JPG?v=1484517847\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: THE NEXT PHASE (2006 Wickenburg AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThis exhibit was truly history in the making! The Next Phase offered a revival of woven Navajo blankets \"actually Navajo Blankets\"!!! for the first time, in well over 100 years!!! The entire exhibit featured Navajo Blankets woven in the style of the Classic Blankets, an accomplishment never achieved before.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-next-phase-navajo-weaving-in-the-21st-century\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-next-phase-navajo-weaving-in-the-21st-century\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Next Phase in Navajo Blankets Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/The_next_phase_2006.jpg?v=1479499146\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eCody Wyoming Western Design Conference (2006)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe road to fine wearable Navajo Shawls was a slow process. Steve Getzwiller in the 1990s began working with the Marianito family and coaxed them along the path to weave finer and finer blankets. He would bring historic textiles from before the turn of the century for them to examine. Kathy Marianito and her sister-in-laws would study them and figure out how the wool was warped and the weft was laid into the weaving to build a supple blanket.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/wearable-navajo-textiles\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of Fashion Show and Photoshoot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/wearable-navajo-textiles\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Cody Wyoming Western Design Conference\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/DSC04098_large.JPG?v=1484512416\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: TREASURES OF THE NAVAJO HORSEMEN (2003 Wickenburg AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSteve and Gail Getzwiller were very enamored with Navajo Saddle Blankets and very anxious to share their collection at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.Following the saddle blankets through the timeline of the Navajo people reveals where some rugs were woven, what time period, and sometimes the purpose of the weaving. Saddle blankets were the last blankets the Navajo wove for themselves. Early designs reflected the simple wearing blanket elements and later designs were traceable to regions of the reservation.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/treasures-of-the-navajo-horsemen\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and See Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/treasures-of-the-navajo-horsemen\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Treasures of the Navajo Horsemen Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Treasures_Of_The_Navajo_Horsemen5_1024x1024.jpg?v=1479499146\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003eEXHIBIT: 2001 - THE GETZWILLER COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY NAVAJO WEAVINGS 1975-2000\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e“The Navajo Churro Collection” was part of a major exhibition at the DESERT CABAKKEROS WESTERN MUSEUM in Wickenburg Arizona. The exhibition represented Steve’s accomplishments and contributions to Navajo Weaving from 1975-2000, featuring the best weaving examples resulting from the collaborative work between Steve and some of the finest Navajo weavers of our time.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/churro-collection-2001-gallery\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/churro-collection-2001-gallery\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Navajo Churro Collection Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Contempory_collection_2001.jpg?v=1479499145\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003eEXHIBIT: ART \u0026amp; HISTORY WOVEN TOGETHER (1999 Wickenburg AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e'The Steve and Gail Getzwiller Historic Navajo Textile Exhibition at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg Arizona' 1999. Art, Artists, Dyes, Design, Earth, Energy, History, Landscape, Life, Loom, Medline, Native People, Pride, Sacred, Sheep........ NAVAJO Art \u0026amp; History Woven Together.... ambled from one area to the next - weaving a story of Navajo History.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/art-history-woven-together-1999\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/art-history-woven-together-1999\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Art \u0026amp; History Woven Together Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Historic_Navajo_Weavings_1999.jpg?v=1479499145\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2025-08-27T11:20:27-07:00","created_at":"2025-06-03T12:45:13-07:00","vendor":"Nizhoni Ranch Gallery","type":"","tags":["About Us","no-price-showing"],"price":0,"price_min":0,"price_max":0,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46988159254750,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":null,"requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Exhibits and Shows","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":0,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":0,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":null,"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/19_ColorRiot_Graphic_2030482f-4a22-4720-a76b-0efe33af6525.png?v=1748980849"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/19_ColorRiot_Graphic_2030482f-4a22-4720-a76b-0efe33af6525.png?v=1748980849","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":36378667745502,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.099,"height":553,"width":608,"src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/19_ColorRiot_Graphic_2030482f-4a22-4720-a76b-0efe33af6525.png?v=1748980849"},"aspect_ratio":1.099,"height":553,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.navajorug.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/19_ColorRiot_Graphic_2030482f-4a22-4720-a76b-0efe33af6525.png?v=1748980849","width":608}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTeec Nos Pos Exhibit - (February 2020 - October 2020) Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003eSteve has always had special appreciation for the Teec Nos Pos design. The design is one of the most difficult to weave aside from Bisti. So it is no surprise Steve has collected some of the most beautiful Teec Nos Pos rugs ever woven. Some experts agree Teec Nos Pos design, as far as quality goes hit it's peak in the late 1920's and then into the 1930's. Let's fast forward to the 1980's. Steve met a family of weavers, Grace Nez and her 7 daughters in the Navajo area who wove mostly the Teec Nos Pos design. Steve began working with them to elevate the design style and quality. When Steve re-introduced Churro wool back into the weaving world, the Nez Family hit the stratosphere. The only limitation the Nez Family encountered was space. Hogans are one room with low ceilings. Steve knew if they had a place large enough to handle multiple looms the Nez weavers could all weave at the same time. Steve also knew if the ceilings were high enough, the Nez Family could weave big rugs. Steve and Gail helped the Nez Family build a hogan just for weaving. Grace especially wove incredible weavings - one of her biggest was 10' x 15'.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/products\/Churro500grace_300x.jpg?v=1585283487\" alt=\"Teec Nos Pos Navajo Weaving : Grace Nez : Churro 500 : 10' x 15' - Getzwiller's Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/teec-nos-pos-gallery-show-2020\" title=\"Teec Nos Pos Gallery Show\"\u003eClick here to watch video of the Teec Nos Pos Exhibit Gallery Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIN TRANSITION Exhibition - The Transitional Period 1890's - 1910 (September 2019 - February 2020) Nizhoni Ranch Gallery AZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTime changes life for everyone, and that’s especially true for the Navajo. During the last part of 19th century, trading posts opened up and traditional life for the Navajo began to evolve rapidly; especially when it came to Navajo weavers. It was with the changes to wool, newly available dyes, and the transition from wearing blankets to floor rugs; that gave way to this “transitional” period and thus, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/collections\/transitional?sort_by=price-ascending\" title=\"Native American Indian Transitional rugs and blankets\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransitional Rugs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e were born. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/transitional-gallery-show\" title=\"Transitional American Indian Rug and Blanket Show\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContinue Reading, see Images and video of the In Transition Exhibit Gallery Show\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/transitional-gallery-show\" title=\"Transitional American Indian Rug and Blanket Show\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Transitional-American-Indian-Rugs-Vintage-Group-2_480x480.jpg?v=1568232040\" alt=\"Transitional Native American Rugs on the Wall at Nizhoni Ranch Gallery\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/blogs\/news\/heard-hit-is-out-of-the-park\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e________________________________________________________________\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Heard Museum exhibit COLOR RIOT !, How color Changed Navajo Textiles (April - September 2019)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe are proud to participate in this exhibit! Some of our most visually interesting weavings are featured in this excellent show - 14 to be exact. We hope everyone interested in Navajo weavings has an opportunity to see this exciting event!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/blogs\/news\/heard-hit-is-out-of-the-park\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of the Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/19_ColorRiot_Graphic_large.png?v=1554747824\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMASTER WEAVINGS OF THE NAVAJO CHURRO COLLECTION (March 2019-August 2019 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSteve and Gail's love of Navajo weaving started as a passion for collecting, that morphed into a business and then into a gallery. In the 1990's they started the Navajo Churro Collection - providing the weavers with Navajo Churro Wool that was custom spun and hand dyed with the finest natural and aniline dyes available. The real artistry comes from the weavers magically putting the wefts into a spacial design - that is at times beyond belief. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/master-weavings-of-the-navajo-churro-collection\" title=\"Master Weavers of the Navajo Churro Collection\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of the Gallery Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Cropped_Cover_large.jpg?v=1554326115\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTIMELESS TREASURE OF TWO GREY HILLS (2017-2018 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically traders encouraged unique and signature designs for Navajo rugs in their particular area. In the case of Toadlena and Two Grey Hills they worked to enhance marketability and cultivate regional styles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exhibit highlights differing phases of influence on the Navajo weaver. Showcasing historic textiles we have collected over the years, as well as those commissioned from weavers we have worked with over the last 45 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/timeless-treasures-of-two-gray-hills\" title=\"Read more about the Timeless Treasures of Two Grey Hills Exhibit\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Helen_Tauglechena_Nez_24727bf6-c421-449d-a89b-a2cdffc07056_large.jpg?v=1554744746\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOne Trader’s Legacy: Steve Getzwiller Collects the West (2017- ) Wickenburg AZ DCWM\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSteve Getzwiller, cowboy, collector, and Indian trader-started his lifelong passion for collecting the west and Native American artifacts nearly 50 years ago, beginning as a teenager with his exposure to the Amerind Museum and mentor Charles C. Di Peso. A natural trader, he has become known for his work with weavers from the Navajo Nation. While Getzwiller has collaborated with multiple museums to present exhibitions of historic and contemporary Navajo Textiles,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne Trader’s Legacy\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003emarks the first time that Getzwiller’s personal collection of rugs, paintings, pottery, baskets, Apache Material, saddles, guns and more will be on public view.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-2017-2018-one-traders-legacy\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-2017-2018-one-traders-legacy\" alt=\"\" title=\"Collectibiles over a lifetime\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/steve7_na_large.jpg?v=1488391122\" alt=\"\" title=\"Steve Getzwiller | Image: Guy Atchley\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNAVAJO TEXTILES AS MODERN ART (2017 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003cbr\u003e Our goal for this exhibition is to present a wide variety of Navajo textiles which represent many facets of Modern Art, from minimalism to multi-dimensional design concepts. There is always the question of what came first? Whatever the theory - The Navajo Weaver is part of the mix and was generally far ahead of their time. \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/encore-encore-encore-by-susan-sorg?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=9129b9405\u0026amp;_ss=r\" title=\"Encore!\"\u003eRead here the article Encore! Encore! Encore! by Susan Sorg about this great show.\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-navajo-textiles-as-modern-art\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-navajo-textiles-as-modern-art\" alt=\"\" title=\"Navajo Textiles as Modern Art - Look, Learn, and Shop!\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/gallerya_480x480.jpg?v=1494538756\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e__________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTHE DAZZLED EYE EXHIBITION (2017 Tucson Desert Art Museum)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFeaturing selections from world-renowned collectors Steve and Gail Getzwiller, The Dazzled Eye contrasts these works of woven art with American Op Art by exploring the popularity and history of Navajo Eyedazzlers and optical weavings. This exhibition will also show how these works by Navajo weavers epitomize Navajo aesthetics and a mindfulness of movement.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-the-dazzled-eye-2017\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-the-dazzled-eye-2017\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Dazzled Eye Exhibit - Look, Learn, and Shop!\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/The-Dazzled-Eye-postcard-1_480x480.jpg?v=1494535880\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e_______________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePAINTING WITH WOOL EXHIBITION (2016 Sonoita AZ NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePAINTING WITH WOOL, is an historic event for Steve and Gail Getzwiller, as it is the second exhibit and sale at their own gallery. A large turn out made it a great success and the gracious presence of Elsie Bia, Master Weaver, again demonstrating at her loom, was the frosting on the cake.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca class=\"continue_read\" href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-painting-with-wool\" title=\"Continue Reading and see images from the Painting with Wool exhibit\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-painting-with-wool\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Painting With Wool Exhibit - Look, Learn, and Shop!\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/painting_with_wool_2016.jpg?v=1479499145\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: WOVEN HOLY PEOPLE (2016 Sonoita AZ: NRG)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWoven Holy People was an historic event for Steve and Gail Getzwiller, as it was the first exhibit and sale at their own gallery. It turned out to be a great success and so, more exhibits are planned.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-holy-people-2014\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"page_img\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-holy-people-2014\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Woven Holy People Exhibit - Look, Learn, and Shop!\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/woven_holy_people_2016_480x480.jpg?v=1479499146\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e _________________________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003eEXHIBIT: WOVEN NATION (2014 Tubac AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePaying homage to the Navajo Nation's greatest weavers and the art from their historic past. This exhibit celebrates the Navajo Nation's Weaving Art, like no other! Historic Blankets Child's Blankets, and Serapes, early regional styles of the Navajo Nation showing the various Trading Post Regions of the Navajo Reservation.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-nation-2014\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.navajorug.com\/pages\/exhibit-woven-nation-2014\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Woven Nation Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Woven-Nation1_480x480.jpg?v=1479251207\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: NAVAJO WEAVING IN THE PRESENT TENSE (2010 San Jose CA)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNavajo Weaving in the Present Tense: The Art of Lucy and Ellen Begay is the first retrospective exhibition by Navajo weavers Lucy Begay and her only 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.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-san-jose-museum-of-quilts-textiles-2010\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-san-jose-museum-of-quilts-textiles-2010\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Navajo Weaving in the Present Tense Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Weaving_in_present_tense_2010_480x480.jpg?v=1479499146\" width=\"480x480\" height=\"480x480\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e______________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSouthwest Design Conference (2007 Santa Fe NM)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eThe Southwestern Design Conference was a special event held in 2007 in Santa Fe New Mexico - a Showcase for the best Southwestern Interior Design Ideas. It \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewas also an offshoot of the Western Design Conference in Cody Wyoming.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-southwest-design-conference-2005\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of the Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/exhibit-southwest-design-conference-2005\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Southwest Design Conference\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/DSC02322_large.JPG?v=1484517847\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: THE NEXT PHASE (2006 Wickenburg AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThis exhibit was truly history in the making! The Next Phase offered a revival of woven Navajo blankets \"actually Navajo Blankets\"!!! for the first time, in well over 100 years!!! The entire exhibit featured Navajo Blankets woven in the style of the Classic Blankets, an accomplishment never achieved before.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-next-phase-navajo-weaving-in-the-21st-century\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-next-phase-navajo-weaving-in-the-21st-century\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Next Phase in Navajo Blankets Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/The_next_phase_2006.jpg?v=1479499146\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eCody Wyoming Western Design Conference (2006)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe road to fine wearable Navajo Shawls was a slow process. Steve Getzwiller in the 1990s began working with the Marianito family and coaxed them along the path to weave finer and finer blankets. He would bring historic textiles from before the turn of the century for them to examine. Kathy Marianito and her sister-in-laws would study them and figure out how the wool was warped and the weft was laid into the weaving to build a supple blanket.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/wearable-navajo-textiles\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images of Fashion Show and Photoshoot\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/wearable-navajo-textiles\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Cody Wyoming Western Design Conference\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/DSC04098_large.JPG?v=1484512416\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEXHIBIT: TREASURES OF THE NAVAJO HORSEMEN (2003 Wickenburg AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSteve and Gail Getzwiller were very enamored with Navajo Saddle Blankets and very anxious to share their collection at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.Following the saddle blankets through the timeline of the Navajo people reveals where some rugs were woven, what time period, and sometimes the purpose of the weaving. Saddle blankets were the last blankets the Navajo wove for themselves. Early designs reflected the simple wearing blanket elements and later designs were traceable to regions of the reservation.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/treasures-of-the-navajo-horsemen\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and See Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/treasures-of-the-navajo-horsemen\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Treasures of the Navajo Horsemen Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Treasures_Of_The_Navajo_Horsemen5_1024x1024.jpg?v=1479499146\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003eEXHIBIT: 2001 - THE GETZWILLER COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY NAVAJO WEAVINGS 1975-2000\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e“The Navajo Churro Collection” was part of a major exhibition at the DESERT CABAKKEROS WESTERN MUSEUM in Wickenburg Arizona. The exhibition represented Steve’s accomplishments and contributions to Navajo Weaving from 1975-2000, featuring the best weaving examples resulting from the collaborative work between Steve and some of the finest Navajo weavers of our time.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/churro-collection-2001-gallery\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/churro-collection-2001-gallery\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"The Navajo Churro Collection Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Contempory_collection_2001.jpg?v=1479499145\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_cont\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e________________________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003eEXHIBIT: ART \u0026amp; HISTORY WOVEN TOGETHER (1999 Wickenburg AZ)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e'The Steve and Gail Getzwiller Historic Navajo Textile Exhibition at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg Arizona' 1999. Art, Artists, Dyes, Design, Earth, Energy, History, Landscape, Life, Loom, Medline, Native People, Pride, Sacred, Sheep........ NAVAJO Art \u0026amp; History Woven Together.... ambled from one area to the next - weaving a story of Navajo History.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/art-history-woven-together-1999\" class=\"continue_read\"\u003eContinue Reading and see Images Gallery of Show\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"page_img\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/navajorug-com.myshopify.com\/pages\/art-history-woven-together-1999\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"Art \u0026amp; History Woven Together Exhibit\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1207\/9128\/files\/Historic_Navajo_Weavings_1999.jpg?v=1479499145\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}

Exhibits and Shows

Teec Nos Pos Exhibit - (February 2020 - October 2020) Nizhoni Ranch Gallery Steve has always had special appreciation for the Teec Nos Pos design. The design is one of the most difficult to weave aside from Bisti. So it is no surprise Steve has collected some of the most beautiful Teec Nos Pos rugs ever woven. Some experts agree Teec Nos Pos...