Decades: 20th Century Navajo Textiles from the Toadlena/Two Grey Hills Region June 4, 2010

Decades:

20th Century Navajo Textiles from the Toadlena/Two Grey Hills Region

presented at the Byers-Evans House Gallery

The historic Toadlena Trading Post,located in northwestern New Mexico on the Navajo Reservation, has been supporting its local weavers for over 100 years. Decades has drawn together an exceptional group of Navajo textilesincluding works by Master Weavers Daisy Taugelchee, Clara Sherman, and Bessie Manygoats. The history of the post and the region's weaving traditions will be told through a representative masterwork from each decade. The exhibit opens Friday, June 4 and continues through Tuesday, August 31 in the Byers-Evans House Gallery located at 1310 Bannock Street, Denver, Colorado. Gallery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Evening receptions will be held during the Golden Triangle Museum District's First Friday Art Walks on Friday, June 4 and Friday, August 6, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Admission to the Byers-Evans House Gallery is free.

Curated from the private collection of Toadlena Trading Post owner Mark Winter, these textiles showcase the skill, intricate patterns, and characteristic natural palette made famous by the Master Weavers of the Toadlena/Two Grey Hills region. Decades tells the history of the post and weavers through signature textiles selected to represent each decade of the 20th century. Each weaving will be accompanied by interpretive text placing the style, weaver, and traditions in the context of Navajo artistry. A select group of contemporary Toadlena/Two Grey Hills textiles will be available for purchase in the museum store.

Toadlena/Two Grey Hills weavers preferred to use natural wool from their sheep rather than the commercially produced wool often used by other Navajo weavers. After the wool was carded together it was finely spun, sometimes as fine as thread. These threads allowed the weavers to weave more wefts to the linear inch, resulting in a textile of a much higher quality than other Navajo weavings. The finest examples are known as tapestry weavings, a Two Grey Hills tradition started by Daisy Taugelchee.

The Toadlena Trading Post has been serving the Navajo people of the Two Grey Hills area for over 100 years. It still operates in the tradition of the old west posts, serving as grocery store, hardware outlet, community center and gallery for the residents. Owner, Mark Winter, has worked to encourage the tradition of the arts in the community by allowing credit to the weavers and purchasing their weavings. The post initiated a program at the local Newcomb High School in Newcomb, New Mexico to encourage weaving among the area's students.

A reception to benefit the Denver Art Museum's Douglas Society, including a carding, spinning, and weaving demonstration by Toadlena Master Weaver Mary H. Yazzie and her daughter Marilyn Yazzie, will be held on Thursday, June 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A Gallery Talk with collector/trader Mark Winter will begin at 7:00 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

The Byers-Evans House Museum is located at 1310 Bannock Street, Denver, Colorado. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and guided tours are available. Admission to the Byers-Evans House Gallery is free. For further information, visit www.coloradohistory.org/be or call 303-620-4933.

The Byers-Evans House Gallery

Decades: 20th Century Navajo Textiles from the Toadlena/Two Grey Hills Region - June 4 through August 31 - Opening reception during the First Friday Art Walk, Friday, June 4 and August 6 from 5 - 9 p.m. Reception to benefit the Douglas Society with Master Weaver Mary H. Yazzie and her daughter Marilyn Yazzie, and collector Mark Winter, June 24 from 6 - 9 p.m. Daily Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon. - Sat. 1310 Bannock Street, Denver. Admission to the Byers-Evans House Gallery is free. For further information, visit www.coloradohistory.org/be or call 303-620-4933.