The Indian Craft Shop at the Department of Interior
Celebrates American Indian Heritage Month in November

(October 31, 2001, Washington, D.C.) What better way to commemorate American Indian Heritage Month in Washington, D.C., than to visit The Indian Craft Shop at the Department of the Interior. This historic Shop has been promoting American Indian arts and crafts since 1938 and is a unique part of our local national history. The Shop has been called a "touchable" museum, with art from over 50 different Indian nations. In November, there will be a special highlight on works from Alaska, a show with art from the Zuni Pueblo, a fetish carving demonstration and an artist of the month showcase.

Arts of the Zuni Pueblo with Guest Artist Demonstration by Michael Coble November 14 - 17

For four days, the Shop will host jewelers Tony and Ola Erachio and fetish carver Michael Coble from the Pueblo of Zuni. Michael Coble, known for his detailed, tactile carvings, will demonstrate fetish carving and talk about this delightful artform. In addition to his own work, Erachio represents many other artists from the Pueblo. He brings a large selection of carved animal fetishes in a rainbow of colors ranging from simple, traditional animals to intricately carved, lifelike carvings. There will be a selection of turquoise and coral needlepoint, petit point and cluster jewelry; channel, etched and raised inlay jewelry; fetish necklaces; handbuilt clay pottery, katsinas, paintings and beadwork.

Artist of the Month for November: Ruby Thomas (Tohono O'Odham)

The Indian Craft Shop Artist of the Month Program showcases the work of an individual artist each month. Throughout the month of November, the Shop focuses on work from Ruby Thomas from the Tohono O’odham Nation. Formerly known as Papago, this Tribe is located in Arizona near the Mexican border. These "people of the desert" are famous for their fine basketry. Basket weaver Ruby Thomas specializes in miniature horsehair baskets. These tiny recreations of the coiled yucca baskets have both the warp and weft made from horsehair. Her intricate designs of brown and black on cream dazzle the eye and are prized jewels for any collector. Her baskets are smaller than 4" in diameter.

Special Exhibition on Arts of Alaska
November 5 - 30

From November 5th through the 30th, The Indian Craft Shop highlights Alaskan Native arts and crafts, including whalebone sculpture, walrus ivory and soapstone carvings, grass and baleen baskets, dolls, masks and jewelry by Yup’ik, Inupiaq, Athabascan, Tlingit, Haida, Aleut and Alutiq artists. Several new titles have been added to the Shop’s book selection, including "Inupiaq and Yupik People of Alaska" published by the Alaska Geographic Society. The books highlight Native life, dances and art.