Event
Jimmy Yawakia (Zuni Stone Carver)
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
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Type of Event
Description
September 18th - 21st, visitors will have the opportunity to meet Jimmy Yawakia, a Zuni stone carver, and watch him carve effigies and engage with the public if they have questions. Here's more about Jimmy in his own words:
"Keshi! (Hello!) My Name is Jimmy Yawakia and I was born and raised on the North side of the Zuni Reservation. Which is located at the southwest section of New Mexico. My traditional clans are maternal born into the Frog Clan and paternal child to the Turkey Clan.
I was initiated into to the Small Kiva Group as a child and was given the Zuni name "Me'La" (Meet-Leh) in translation means Corn. Before carving I worked as a Emergency Medical Technician in Gallup, New Mexico for twenty three years before retiring. At the same time I was also taking care of our Livestock where we raised pigs, and churro sheep in the Burnt Timber area near Nutria Lake.
After a long hard shift helping the injured and attending to the ill. Resonating in the mind was the serious accidents. It would be like the mind was racing without a finish line, unable to sleep through the night. That’s when I would turn to my carvings. It was a way for me to get my mind off work and to relieve stress.
The material I used when I created my first carving was Antler. The first fetish I created was a Ko'lo'wese (Sea Serpent.) When I was using antlers to make carvings, it gave off an awful odor.
Next, I learned how to work with Cottonwood and made Shalako's. I wanted to expand my knowledge on carvings, so I invested in tools and equipment to work with stones.
While in the work room a stone is selected by color, texture, and shape. The creation starts by holding and turning the stone within the warmth of my hands, until the animal is seen. It could become a single traditional animal or multiple of animals in one stone. I explain to my Collectors that I call them my kids. Because I am the one who created them.
I have shared with my Collectors that every stone has its own energy, and that the energy is what draws them to the carvings they choose. Establishing cliental was hard in the beginning. I started out dealing with local traders around Zuni and Gallup. Selling my fetishes at jobber price when I could be selling them at retail prices.
Just like all the other masters out there I decided to cut out the middleman and sell directly to the Collectors. From there I was making appointments and meeting with Business owners, Museums, Colleges, and private Collectors. As I started building my cliental, I started getting involved with Art Shows. Large or small. I enjoy traveling to cities by land or by air. Meeting new Collectors that range from young to old, and most become good friends. Thats one of the greatest things.
I've traveled from coast to coast, from Los Angeles, CA to the far east of Bar Harbor, Maine. I've become an Award-Winning Artist from Various Art Shows. It has opened doors for me. Allowing my Art to be presented in Gallery's, Museums, and homes all over the world. You can find my work at KESHI Zuni Connection in Santa Fe, Maxwell Museum, and at the Indian Cultural Center in Albuquerque NM. As well as Garlands, Sedona's Fine Indian Arts, and the Kachina House in Sedona Az. So, whenever you or your family are in the area, feel free to reach out and contact me. Come visit and enjoy what Zuni has to offer. E'lah'kwa (Thank You)."
Reservation or Registration: No
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