Navajo Marketplace focuses on Diné arts <br>

Returning are the popular Pollen Trail Dancers from Joseph City, performing several traditional dances including:

• the Bow and Arrow Dance, which they dedicate to all veterans.

• the Maiden and Corn Grinding Dance, which focuses on the traditional tools of the Navajo woman.

• the Sash Belt or Weaving Dance, which honors Spider Woman and all who are keeping the tradition of weaving alive.

• the Basket Dance to honor and appreciate the many purposes of baskets.

Also returning this year to perform is Nakota LaRance, a 13-year-old who is the 2002 World Champion Hoop Dancer.

Accompanying the marketplace is a photography exhibit about historical Navajo textiles. MNA received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to re-catalogue its extensive collection of textiles. From 1988-89, 694 textiles were identified. In this exhibit, a selection of these textiles will be displayed in photos, representing the different types of rugs in the collection.

Noted Navajo author and painter Baje Whitethorne, Sr. will be signing his books “Sunpainters” and “Father’s Boots” and art posters of his paintings.

On Saturday from 1-4 p.m., children of all ages will enjoy making take home crafts inspired by Navajo arts at the Creative Corner. Visitors will make Navajo folk art sheep pins and have an opportunity to create a book on the cultural uses of native plants.

Evelyn Morgan will be serving up her traditional mutton stew and chile stew with frybread and Navajo tacos. The Arizona Corn Company will be roasting corn on the cob and Archuleta Catering will serve their favorite Mexican foods.

MNA is located in the forest near the San Francisco Peaks, three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on Highway 180. It offers exhibits, outdoor adventures, and summer marketplaces—Hispanic, Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and Pai—revealing the Colorado Plateau’s artistic traditions, Native cultures, and natural sciences. Marketplace admission is $5/adult, $4/senior, $3/student, $2/child (7-17) and free to members.

MNA’s Heritage Program marketplaces are generously supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts with funding from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts, Flagstaff Cultural Partners/City of Flagstaff, the Wallis Foundation and an anonymous donor. Sponsors include the Radisson Woodlands Hotel, Ramada Limited West of Flagstaff and Sunny 97FM.