Event
A Navajo moccasin maker and a Navajo potter demonstrate their crafts at Desert View's outdoor Visitor Center.
Fee:
Free.Location: LAT/LONG: 36.000000, -112.000000
Cultural demonstrations take place here, at the outdoor visitor center, located under the large shade structure, just beyond the north end of the main Desert View parking lot.
Repeating Event
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Type of Event
Description
Watch master artisans at work this week as Desert View's 2022 Cultural Demonstration Series continues. from 9 am to 4 pm on Thursday June 30, and Friday, July 1, 2022.
Bill Thomas, Jr., Navajo Moccasin Maker
Damon Tso, Navajo Potter
The artisans will be demonstrating under the large shade structure just beyond the north end of the main parking lot, and within the paved concourse. In addition, park rangers are staffing an information desk at the same location, from 9 am to 4 pm (as staffing allows).
In the event of bad weather, the demonstrations may be held in the Watchtower building.
Bill Thomas Jr. was born in Many Farms, AZ on the Navajo Reservation and has lived there his whole life. He began making moccasins about 10 years ago, thanks to an introduction to the craft by his uncle. The art of moccasin making has been passed down through his family, beginning with his maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather who tanned and dyed the hides by hand. Bill says one of his favorite things about demonstrating his craft is the wide variety of interesting people that he gets to meet.
Damon Tso was raised in an area of New Mexico called Buffalo Springs. He was originally inspired to become a sculptor after reading about an artist named Allen Houser, but was instead swayed towards pottery by a ceramics instructor. He enjoyed working with clay so much that he decided to dedicate his energy towards creating pots and has been doing so for 16 years. He originally used commercial clay, but changed to the traditional method of gathering the clay himself from the land. He also fires his pots in a traditional manner, using wood as a heat source instead of a kiln.
- The Cultural Demonstration program provides an opportunity for visitors and community members to interact with tribal artisans from Grand Canyon's traditionally associated tribes - and for them to share their history and crafts, along with the skills, knowledge, and efforts involved in creating each craft.
- This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy.
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