24th Annual Litchfield Park Native American Fine Arts Festival to be Held in January

Diverse works of art from more than 100 of the nation's finest juried Native American artists will be exhibited and for sale at the 24th annual Native American Fine Arts Festival, Jan. 9-10, 2016, at the Litchfield Elementary School, 255 E. Wigwam Blvd.

This year's Festival, under the theme Every Picture Tells a Story, features artist demonstrations and a range of performers, including the renowned Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, who performed at the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics and in Nelly Furtado's MTV music video for her song, "Big Hoops."

The Festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10. Admission is $10 each day. Cost for active military and students with ID is $5. Children 12 and under are free. A special art booth with children's activities will be available.

"Each year we share how Native American heritage is celebrated through the arts, and this year we're making a special effort to demonstrate the role pictures and symbols play in creating and understanding Native American art," said Tricia Kramer, Litchfield Park Special Events Assistant.

Artists and artisans representing many tribal affiliations will offer traditional and contemporary Native America masterpieces including beadwork, clothing, jewelry, paintings and prints, pottery, sculptures and weaving.

Among notable demonstrating artists are:

· • Navajo Silversmith Justin Morris from Winslow.

· • Saginaw Chippewa Painter Daniel Ramirez from Rio Rancho, NM.

· • Hopi Kachina Carver Eli Taylor from Goodyear.

· • Zuni Fetish Carver Todd Westika from Zuni, NM

· • Choctaw Potter and Jeweler Marsha Hedrick from Tonopah.

In addition to the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, featured performers include:

· • Adrian Wall, vocalist, flute player and guitarist. A member of the band "Innastate." Adrian is also a renowned sculptor from the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico.

· • Aaron White, a former band member and leader of Burning Sky music. A Canyon Records recording artist, he is a vocalist, acoustic guitar player and a Native American flute player.

· • Moontee Sinquah - World Champion Hoop Dancer and his sons Sampson and Scott.

Winning artwork from the Festival's Juried Art Competition will be showcased at the Festival Prelude on Friday, Jan. 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Wigwam. The free event also will feature stage performances and a fashion show by Navajo designer Penny Singer and Cathy Short of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This year's show includes children's fashion and accessories.

For more information, visit www.litchfield-park.org.

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