WELCOME TO THE INDIAN CRAFT SHOP

June 2007

Fetish Show and Fetish Carving Demonstration
with Guest Artist Todd Westika (Zuni)
June 14-16, 2007

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Be sure to come in for our Fetish Show June 14-16th!  We are pleased to welcome Tony Eriacho from the Zuni Pueblo who will bring a vast array of fetish carvings to the Shop for this three day highlight.  In addition we are honored to have Todd Westika (Zuni) as our guest artist who will demonstrate fetish carving each day from 12pm – 4pm.

Guest Artist Todd Westika (Zuni) will join us June 14-16 from 12pm – 4pm each day.  Todd is known for his stylized buffalo and bear exhibiting a purity of form.  In contrast, Todd’s detailed corn maidens show his versatility.  You will enjoy meeting Todd Westika and seeing an artist at work, transforming stone, antler and shell into beautiful carvings.

Fetishes have long been an integral part of the traditional religious practices of many American Indian groups. Believing that the power of the fetish comes from the spirit of the animal residing in the stone, fetishes have been used for different purposes, e.g. to aid with hunting, healing, fertility and/or protection. The creation of fetishes, or carved animals, has evolved into an exciting art form, and today the Zuni Pueblo has become world famous for fetish carvings. These delightful carvings of animals and figures fascinate collectors of all ages, ranging from abstract representations to highly detailed sculptural works.

The most often carved animals are those that represent the traditional guardians of the Six Directions: Mountain Lion (North), Bear (West), Badger (South), Wolf (East), Eagle (Above), Mole (Below). Water creatures such as fish, turtles and frogs are also popular along with other animals such as buffalo, rabbit and horses.  Artists today are creating just about everything imaginable – fish, horses, elephants, dinosaurs, buffalos, skunks, weasels, dragons, insects and more. An animal might be etched with petroglyphs, have a bundle tied on its back to represent an offering to the fetish, or be inlaid with stones or with a heartline. Maidens, with their grace and beauty, are often carved in a variety of materials, often detailing corn within the body to represent the Corn Maiden. Fetish necklaces with miniature carvings make beautiful wearable art.

The variety of materials used is as diverse as the animals depicted. Stones include turquoise, jasper, marble, fluorite, dolomite, alabaster, pipestone, serpentine, gaspeite, malachite, lapis and ammonite. In addition to stone, carvers utilize bone, wood, shells and other materials such as coral, jet, antler, fossil ivory and even glass!

Our Fetish show will be held June 14-16.  Numerous carvers at all levels of carving will be represented at this show to include the following:  Emery Boone, Evalena Boone, Leland Boone, Lena Boone,  Calvert Bowannie, Gabriel Burns, Daniel Chattin, Ephran Chavez, Kenny Chavez, Wilfred Cheama, Michael Coble, Emery Eriacho, Pete and Dinah Gasper, Herbert Halate, Herbert Him, Bernard Homer, Herbert Hustito, Derrick Kaamasee, Marnella Kucate, Ricky Laahty, Travis Lasiloo, Delvin Leekya, Freddie Leekya, Hayes Leekya, Carol Martinez, Florentino Martinez, LaVies and Daisy Natewa, Claudia Peina, Marvellita Phillips, Hubert Pincion, Rhoda Quam, Andres Quandelacy, Faye Quandelacy, Georgia Quandelacy, Sandra Quandelacy, Stuart Quandelacy, Lorandina Sheche, Brian Yunie, Julius Yuselew, Karen Zunie … and many, many more!

Books on Fetishes

Be sure to check our selection of books on fetishes.  We have several books written by Kent McManis who is one of the experts on Zuni fetishes and carvings.  He has written the easy-to-read Zuni Fetishes & Carvings, Zuni Fetish Carvers: The Mid-Century Masters and Zuni Fetish Carvers of the 1970-s A Bridge From Past to Present (co-authored by Laurie McManis).  In addition, we carry The Fetish Carvers of Zuni by Marion Rodee and James Ostler and A Guide to Zuni Fetishes and Carvings, a small, informative pocket guide put out by Western National Parks Association.

INDIAN CRAFT SHOP SATURDAY HOURS --
Open Saturday, June 16, 2007

The Indian Craft Shop is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the third Saturday of the month from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Shop is closed on federal holidays. A photo ID is required for entrance to the building. The visitors' access is at the C Street entrance. Handicap access is available at E Street. (For weekend handicap access on E Street, contact the Shop at (202) 208-4056 ahead of time if possible.)

Public Transportation

There is metered parking on the street. Farragut West and Farragut North are the closest metro stops. It's a six-block walk, or catch an S1 or 80 bus to 18th and C Streets. Buses are $.35 with a metrorail transfer (pick one up at the Metro rail stop before you get on the train) or $1.25. There is metered parking on the street and several parking lots within a few blocks.

Photo ID required for entrance.
For more information, call 202-208-4056