Florence Riggs, Navajo (Diné) pictorial rug weaver, demonstrates this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
This weekend, the Cultural Demonstration Program presents renown Diné artist, Florence Riggs, who will demonstrate the fine art of pictorial rug weaving.
In contrast to traditional Diné rug designs woven in mostly geometric patterns, pictorial rugs include images of the landscape, animals and people, woven into the overall design.
During her childhood, Florence was interested in watching her mother weave, though she never helped with shearing, carding or spinning, “like they used to do in the old days”. At the age of 18, a year after graduating from Tuba City High School, Florence decided she wanted to learn weaving and asked her mother to teach her. She began to weave pictorials when she was 20 and later became a full-time weaver.
She weaves about 10 hours a day and her pieces are on the loom for one to three months, depending on their size. She remarks, “And now that’s all I do, just weave and weave, but I like to do it that way because I’m with my kids more”. Her ideas come from books, magazines and observations of everyday life. Florence comments, “My figures are so realistic because I draw them first. I use store-bought, pre-dyed yarns, but I only use the fine ones because it makes the detail easier”.
Meet and watch Florence at work in the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 16 through 18, from 10am to 4pm.
- The Cultural Demonstration program provides an opportunity for park 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 their handicrafts.
- This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy.
Fees
This event is free to attend.
Location
From the South Entrance Station, continue following the road you are on for 5 miles, and it will lead you to the Visitor Center. Just before the parking areas, the road curves to the left. You can park your vehicle in one of four parking areas and find your way to the Visitor Center, in the center of the open plaza, where restroom buildings, the park store, and the bicycle rental are also located.
Latitude and Longitude 36.000000, -112.000000
Schedule
Days:
Dates:
Time:
Duration:
Contact Information
Cultural Expressions
Contact Us
Event Type
- Cultural/Craft Demonstration