The World of Zuni

Hi Everyone,
I meant to write a post on Friday but on my lunch break I fell and hurt my ankle.  I am better now so I better get a move on with this blog now.  The Zuni Festival is approaching quickly so I figured that I would find out some information about the Zuni people and their art.  When researching I found that they were mostly farmers who grew maize and wheat.  They also created artwork for personal use and selling them to make an income.  They could have been found in areas of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah at one point.  Now the main reservation which is the Zuni Pueblo is located in the McKinley and Cibola counties in Western New Mexico.  The tribe also has separate land holdings within Catron County, NM and Apache County, AZ.  This tribe makes different types of artworks like pottery, clothing, jewelry, baskets, and kachina dolls or kokos.  The artworks that are created give the viewer information about what this culture finds important in life.  The artwork can also give a history of the tribe.  Many of these different types of artworks are still being created today by talented Zuni artists.  In this blog we will be discussing the artwork and how it relates to the culture.  Some artists stay traditional in their style and others take a contemporary take on artwork.  When you come to the Zuni Festival in May you can see all the art there is to offer and learn more information about the culture for yourself.

By: Phyllis Coonsis


Here are the artists who have already sent in their applications and will be seen in this years Zuni Festival:
Harlan Coonsis
Phyllis Coonsis
Waldo Davis
Carlos Laate
Matthew Neha
Roxanne Seoutewa
Margia Simplicio
Everyone else hurry up so we can put up your name in later blogs and so you can show off your art in the festival coming up.

Love,
Cynthia

Work sited-
Pueblo of Zuni  http://www.ashiwi.org
Native Net http://www.native-net.org/tribes/zuni-indians.html

So little time and so much to do

Hey Everyone,
This whole blog thing is harder than I thought.  It seems so easy because all you have to do is remember to write but the hard thing is to remember. Or find time to write.  Well its been super busy here in the office getting ready for our first festival.  Right now Anne and I are spending many hard working hours in front of our computers making sure things will run smoothly for the summer.  Last week we got some interest for more interns for the summer YAY!!!  I hope everyone has a great week!
Love,
Cynthia

New Intern!

Hello Everyone,
I know it has been sometime since there has been a post on this blog but things are about to change. My name is Cynthia and I am the new intern here at the Museum of Northern Arizona in the Heritage Program.  Hopefully I will be able to post about what is going on with the Heritage Program and as the festivals kick off in the Summer.  So here is a little about me... I am a student at NAU up here in Flagstaff majoring in Art History and minoring in Museum Studies.  I very excited about this internship and to learn a bunch of new skills.  I will be here this Spring semester and all through the summer to enjoy the festivals.  Hooray!  I am hoping to meet and see a ton of new faces at all the festivals this Summer.
The first festival coming up is the 22nd Annual Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture: Journey to the Center Place, which takes place Saturday May 26 and Sunday May 27 2012.  I hope everyone can come and enjoy the wonderful art, music, food and culture. 
Love,
Cynthia (The New Intern)

Gearing up for The Celebraciones De La Genta!

The time is drawing near for the 7th annual Celebraciones De La Genta! The past few weeks have been full of preparation, and with only 17 days left, things are starting to speed up. The festival will be held as usual at the Museum of Northern Arizona, on October 23-24. This festival is sure to be jam-packed with talented artists, musicians and events. We have many returning musicians this year, as well as a nine member Mariachi band hailing from Tucson, Arizona. This band goes by the name of Sol Azteca, and is prominent in that area for the genre of Mariachi. The Mariachi originated in the state of Jalisco, Mexico sometime in the 19th century, and has evolved into a cultural revolution, and recently has become popular in the United States. Mariachi has continued to grow in popularity, and can be found not only in North America, but in other countries such as Japan. The festival is also proud to recieve a number of talented artists who will be displaying pieces ranging from beaded and silver jewelry, to beautiful Zapoteca Rugs. As in all of the past Day of the Dead Celebrations we will be hosting community Altars, which honor loved ones who have past on. We have also planned heritage presentations that will span the two days of the festival. Prominent members of the community such as Dr. Miguel Vasquez, a professor at Northern Arizona University, will give talks concerning the history and culture of the hispanic communities of the region. Overall we believe this will be a grand festival in honor not only of all of our loved ones who have past on, but of the many rich hispanic communities that popluate our corner of the country. For a full listing of musicians, artists, and events visit the following link http://www.musnaz.org/hp/celebraciones_fest_2009.shtml.

Love,
Anne and THE Intern(Caolan Head) :]