Nuvayoiyung was born on June 10th, 1983 in Tuba City, Arizona.  He is of the Sun Clan and lives in the Hopi village of Kykotsmovi.  He is self taught in the following mediums; Drawing, painting, and Hopi embroidery.  In addition to this he has learned Katsina carving from his older brother, noted Carver Kevin Sekakuku and silverwork from his father, Sidney Sekakuku Jr.
At the age of 12, Nuvayoiyung took up Hopi embroidery.  He taught himself the techniques necessary to produce ceremonial kilts, mantas, shirts, and dresses but credits mentors for perfecting techniques and learning how to spin yarn.  Currently, Nuvayoiyung is the youngest male embroiderer on Hopi and has been able to establish his own clientele while at the same time helping to revive the art of
Hopi embroidery.

Along with having taught summer classes to youth and elderly in the First Mesa community of Tewa, Nuvayoiyung gained valuable experience while attending Santa Fe Indian School, where he was introduced to a program called “The Young Curators at SITE Santa Fe; a contemporary art gallery.   He also helped produce an art show entitled “Effusion”, along with several area youth.  These experiences allowed him to further his interests in the arts.After high school, Nuvayoiyung attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff Arizona for three years.  There he majored in Art education.  He also attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM where he furthered his artistic skills in graphic art & design, and offset lithography.

Kevin is a Hopi/Navajo contemporary artist and has been a carver of kachina sculptures since 1980. Living in Kykotsmovi, on the Hopi reservation, Kevin's occupation as a tribal ranger required long hours with little pay. It was during this time while managing a small family art gallery that he took an interest in Hopi art. Kachina doll carving became a serious occupation for him.

Kevin specializes in carving contemporary kachina dolls using cottonwood roots, whereby he takes artwork one step beyond traditional methods. Some of his artwork has been transformed into bronze sculptures capturing all the beauty and textures of the natural grains from the original pieces done in cottonwood roots. Feathers, originally woodburned one by one, glisten in gold and amber in his bronze sculptures. Kevin also paints on canvas and makes jewelry. He has received many awards and has established himaself as a quality artist.

Iva “Casuse” Honyestewa

Sifter Basket Weaver/Jeweler

P.O. Box 329 Second Mesa, AZ 86043
Phone: 928-734-9361

Iva is a member of the Sun Clan from the village of Shungopavi.  She began weaving baskets in 1997 under the tutelage of Beth Dawahongnewa, a clan cousin.  Iva's baskets are made in the traditional fashion with Yucca plant, rings made with willow branch, or three leaf Sumac branch (Suuvi).  Some of her baskets can be made with the modern wire ring.  She is an active participant of the Annual Tuhisma Show, the Hopi Show at the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Heard Museum Guild Show.  She has won numerous awards including 1st and 2nd place at the Tuhisma Show in 2006 for a Butterfly and Mudhead basket and 1st place Geometric design basket at Gallup Indian Ceremonial in 2007. 

Iva owns and operates Iskasokpu Gallery on Second Mesa just off of Hwy 264.  She will be displaying her baskets and some of her jewelry work at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites through August and September.

Carliss R. Sinquah

Hopi Collage Painter

P.O. Box 928 Hotevilla, AZ 86030

Phone: 928-734-0132

crsinquah@yahoo.com

Carliss was born June 15th, 1966 and is from the village of Hotevilla.  He is of the Honanwungwa or Badger Clan. He has been painting for approximately 30 years and has developed a painting style that combines collage techniques with traditional painting processes.  It is a simple style that is balanced, has symmetry, and is very visual and pleasing to the eyes.  It portrays Katsinas, clouds, rain, and other aspects of Hopi symbolism, ceremony, life and spirituality.  Carliss has entered numerous art shows and taken first, second, third, and honorable mention awards throughout the years. 

“The Great Spirit has blessed me well to be a Hopi artist and it is to him that I am very grateful.  My creativity comes from him, through me, and it is passed on to others.  The many people I meet also inspire me to keep doing what I do and to share with them what Hopi life is all about.”

Gerald Scott Lomaventema

PO Box 66 Second Mesa, AZ 86043 Phone: (928) 734-6688 lomaventema@hopitelecom.net

Gerald grew up in the village of Shungopavy, where he learned traditional Hopi philosophies, wisdom, and traditions from his grandfather. Gerald always was involved in Hopi Silver making but began his career in 2002. Since then he has earned numerous awards throughout the country as well as in Japan.

Gerald makes Hopi Silver Jewelry, specializing in Tufa Casting, Traditional Hopi Overlay, and Lapidary. When asked what motivates or inspires his work, he replies that it is the spirituality of Hopi life and that most times he is at his best right after a Hopi kachina dance has concluded. He has participated in various workshops held by other noted artists, such as Roy Talahaftewa, Duane Maktima, & Steve Wikviya LaRance. Gerald is also noted in several publications including Margaret Nickelson's “Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi, and Silver+Stone:Profiles of American Indian Jewelers by Mark Bahti.

2’ X 3’ Parrot Maiden Tufa Cast Overlay Lapidary 2009