Indigenous Artist Demonstration Program

Throughout the spring and summer of 2025 the Desert Museum will host Indigenous Artists to display, demonstrate, and sell their work.

Activity schedules subject to additions and changes — check back often for the latest updates!

Artist Details

Susana Arellano is a Tucson curandera who learned the practice of healing the heavy-hearted and the art of making ojos de venado (deer eyes), a protective amulet within Yaqui culture from Nana Mary Lue, a Yoeme medicine woman from Tucson’s Pascua Yaqui community. With over 40 years of experience, Susana is now working with her daughter Anivella Gutierrez. Susana was awarded a Master-Apprentice Artist Award in 2021 from the Southwest Folklife Alliance to pass on her tradition.

Turquoise is found naturally occurring within the Southwest including the Sonoran Desert Region. It forms in areas where deposits of phosphorous exist along with copper and aluminum. Cutting into each stone of turquoise is an act of revealing. It is sharing a slice of the beautiful. I pair my lapidary and silversmithing skills in the creation of each unique piece. I source turquoise rough stone from the Kingman Mine in Arizona which i cut, grind, sand, and polish and pair with my silversmithing, a practice that connects me to the artistic traditions of the Southwest. —Carrie Cannon

Artist Details

My daughters and I weave Tohono O’odham horsehair baskets and Jewelry. —Elena Mendez

My yucca baskets come from traditional Tohono O’odham basket weavers. The baskets were used for cooking corn and wheat. Back when willow was grown on O’odham land it was used for carrying water and keeping dry food. —Geneva Acosta

Kathleen Vance is Tohono O'odham and San Carlos Apache. While preparing for her daughters coming of age ceremony, Kathleen met an elder woman and traditional potter who taught her how to harvest and process traditional clays in order to make a ceremonial pot for her daughter. This experience provided the foundational skills and knowledge that would inspire her to expand her skills set and teach others. Kathleen considers herself to be a traditional utilitarian potter, but also uses clay to make whistles and effigies.

My mom, Cheryl, crochets desert turtles and cactus. I do a more contemporary take on our traditional shell necklaces and earrings. —Valerie Francisco

Cheryl Francisco crochets desert tortoises and cactus along with other items indigenous to southwest AZ. Valerie Francisco takes a modern influence on traditional beaded jewelry. Both Cheryl and Valerie Francisco are self-taught artists and have been practicing and honing their craft for decades.