The Hopi-sponsored Fourth Annual Native Arts and Music Festival at Heritage Square is scheduled for Sept. 28 and 29 in downtown Flagstaff. Set in the shadow of the Hopi Building (a Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation-owned property), the event draws several thousand visitors for Hopi and Native arts and culture in partnership with other Native American artisans and the City of Flagstaff. This year’s event promises to be much more: more vendors, visitors and activities.
This celebration of Hopi and other native cultures will include social dances, music and traditional and contemporary art. Hopi artisans include potters, carvers, weavers and painters with notable names such as Tonita Nampeyo pottery, Ronald Honyouti carvings, Kevin Quannie carver/painter, Anthony Honahnie paintings, Neil David, Sr. doll carver/painter, Fawn Navasie potter and Ruby Chimerica and Annetta L. Koruh wicker plaques. Notable Navajo artists include Baje Whitethorn, Sr. painter, Buddy Whitethorn, Jr. painter, Gerald Begay jeweler and Randal Chitto, sculptor. The Hopi Paqavi Dance Group is also scheduled to perform.
The City of Flagstaff’s City Council unanimously approved a street closure of Aspen Avenue between San Francisco and Leroux Streets for the event at a recent meeting. Goals include working in partnership with HTEDC to promote a diversity of arts, culture and educational opportunities through the Hopi Festival at Heritage Square in Flagstaff’s historic downtown business district.
The Festival is sponsored by the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation to assist artisans to sell their art and crafts to provide for their families, and for them to share a little about their ways of life and rich cultures. The Festival brings to Flagstaff public education by way of art, traditional social dances and traditional foods. This event aims to bring the City of Flagstaff together with surrounding neighbors to learn from one another togetherness, happiness and stewardship of the earth for all people of different walks of life. This year’s Festival donations will go to Child Protective Services in Flagstaff and at Hopi to assist with a safe and better way of life for these children in need. FBN
The market will be held on September 28 & 29, opening at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. on both days. Visit http://htedc.com/uploads/HopiFestival2013.pdf for more information.