Featured Artists to Attend Fire and Ice Native American Art and Dance Gathering May 20-21, 2023

GRANTS, NM - This week El Malpais National Monument is highlighting four of the artists participating in the Fire and Ice Native American Art and Dance Gathering on Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, 2023. This free event will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day at the El Malpais Visitor Center located at 1900 East Santa Fe Avenue in Grants, NM. The artists featured this week are Beth and George Nez, Robert Torres, and Edwin Lente.

Beth and George Nez are Navajo weavers who work together to create their rugs. Beth grew up in Haystack, NM and started weaving after graduating from high school. It all started when her grandmother, Hannah, asked her to weave a rug for her. Beth cleaned, carded, spun, and dyed the wool herself. Weaving involves making the loom from scratch for each new rug. By observing and helping her mother, Beth learned how make the looms she uses to create her art. Beth uses weaving tools inherited from her mother and many made by her husband, George. Her inspiration is drawn from her God who gives her designs and the strength to start and finish a rug.

Robert Torres, San Carlos Apache/Yaqui, and creator of Thunder Jewelry, is a US Veteran, retired Special Education Teacher, and an awardwinning coach. Robert has a thirst for knowledge is always challenging himself to try new things. This curiosity has influenced his interest in a vast variety of “mixed media.” From jewelry to storytelling, his creations come to life. Robert states, “Ancestral influence throughout Storytelling has become my passion. I enjoy sharing my skills and knowledge through all my creations.”

Edwin Lente, Pueblo of Isleta, has been a flintknapper for over 12 years. He took up the craft when he saw the need to provide affordable ceremonial blades and stone points to tribal entities. He learned about rock identification and harvesting from a non-indigenous person. This led to learning how to prepare rock, percussion knapping, and pressure flaking. As a creative person, Edwin also makes gourd rattles and learned leather craft and beading. His work is sought after by many tribal entities and ceremonial groups. Edwin says, “We have the same ceremonial uses when purchasing arrowhead points or blades.” His inspiration comes from the people who purchase his artwork.

To meet these artists in person, please come out to the El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, located at 1900 East Santa Fe Avenue, Grants, New Mexico. This free event will be on Saturday and Sunday May 20-21, 2023. The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. We hope to see you there!

For more information, contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at 505-8762783 or visit www.nps.gov/elma. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/elmalpaisnps.