Third generation silversmith ‘shares the love’ of her craft - just in time for Valentine’s Day
Sorrel Sky Gallery hosts a trunk show featuring the jewelry by Navajo artist and designer, Artie Yellowhorse on February 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the downtown Durango gallery – just in time for Valentine’s Day. Yellowhorse is known for her contemporary designs that incorporate high quality stones and materials with an exceptional quality of silverwork.
Raised in Arizona, Yellowhorse is a third generation Navajo jewelry artist from the Towering House Clan specializing in fine handcrafted silver and stone jewelry. Her grandfather and father were both silversmiths and the women in her family were skilled weavers. Yellowhorse has carried on the jewelry making tradition and passed it on to her daughters. The influences of the Navajo culture are readily apparent in the beautiful wearable art, which evolved out of generations of artistic talent.
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Daughters Desiree and Le Lani are both involved in the creation and design of jewelry with their mother. Desiree has become an accomplished jewelry designer and is well known for her exquisite, one-of-a-kind, "Tahy" necklaces, named in honor of her Grandmother Anna Tahy. Le Lanie specializes in making handmade silver beads and also works with Artie marketing the jewelry and in public relations.
Growing up on the Navajo reservation, Yellowhorse was exposed to a variety of traditional Native American crafts. However, she chose to put her artistic instincts on hold and joined the United States Navy. Through her service to our country, she developed a love of travel that has influenced her selections of unique stones such as turquoise, lapis, malachite, and amber in combination with her exquisite silver work.
Gallery owner, Shanan Campbell Wells says, “It is an honor to have Yellowhorse Family Designs represented at our gallery. Artie continues a family legacy and tradition of Navajo jewelry design that is both traditional and contemporary in it appeal.”
Sorrel Sky Gallery’s fresh approach to Western art presents a select collection of contemporary and traditional fine art and jewelry for the discerning collector. Sorrel Sky Gallery was founded in Durango, CO in 2002 and opened its Santa Fe, NM location in 2014. It represents over 75 painters, sculptors and jewelers including bronze artist Star Liana York, painter Billy Schenck, and Ben Nighthorse, among others.