NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

LEGACY REIMAGINED: Three Generations of Nighthorse Unveil Contemporary Fine Jewelry Collection at NYC Jewelry Week

Sorrel Sky Gallery SoHo Showcases Seven Decades of Native American Artistry Transformed for Today's Collectors

November, 2025

NEW YORK, NY – October, 2025: In a moment that bridges seven decades of Native American jewelry artistry with contemporary fine jewelry, Sorrel Sky Gallery announces a special exhibition of NIGHTHORSE jewelry during NYC Jewelry Week, November 17-23, 2025. The collection represents an extraordinary convergence of legacy and innovation as 92-year-old master jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell's iconic designs are reimagined by his 27-year-old grandson and creative director, Luke Longfellow. The event will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 5 - 8 pm.

"What we're witnessing is the evolution of a true American art form," says Shanan Campbell, founder of Sorrel Sky Gallery and Ben Nighthorse Campbell's daughter. "My father spent a lifetime establishing Native American jewelry as fine art—his work sits in the Smithsonian. Now Luke carries that vision forward, transforming each of my father's original pieces into jewelry that speaks to today's collectors while honoring its cultural roots."

The exhibition marks a pivotal moment in contemporary jewelry. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Northern Cheyenne artist, former U.S. Senator, and 1964 Olympic judo team captain, pioneered contemporary Native American jewelry beginning in 1954. His signature Morning Star motif—a symbol of strength granted by the Northern Cheyenne—has become synonymous with excellence in Native American artistry. Featured in Arizona Highways' 1979 landmark edition alongside other Native American jewelry pioneers, Campbell helped shape an entire field.

Today, that legacy enters a new era. Working between his studio in New York City and the family's original workshop in Ignacio, Colorado, on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Luke Longfellow brings a distinctly contemporary perspective to his grandfather's groundbreaking designs. A GIA-certified Graduate Gemologist who began his apprenticeship at age seven, Longfellow approaches each piece with reverence and innovation.

"Every piece Luke designs has a direct reference to one of my father's original works," explains Campbell. "He reimagines the design through his own lens—refining proportions, re-engineering settings for effortless wearability, working in 18-karat gold and platinum with natural diamonds and precious stones. Historic Native American jewelry was most often silver. Luke keeps the soul of Nighthorse and presents it as modern fine jewelry that you can wear every day."

The transformation is profound yet faithful. Where Ben's original works established Native American jewelry as an art form worthy of museums, Luke's reinterpretations position NIGHTHORSE as contemporary fine jewelry for collectors who understand that true luxury lies in authentic story and uncompromising craft.

This three-generation collaboration extends beyond blood ties. Shanan Campbell's two-decade leadership of Sorrel Sky Gallery—built on foundations laid during her tenure at the Smithsonian and the Franklin Mint—provides the strategic vision that ensures NIGHTHORSE reaches collectors who value both artistic heritage and contemporary sophistication. Her expansion of Sorrel Sky Gallery to Santa Fe (2014), New York City (2024), and East Hampton (2025) created the perfect platform for this evolution.

"Like the great design houses that honor their founders while pushing boundaries, NIGHTHORSE evolves without abandoning its soul," notes Campbell. "My father remains the guiding force behind every piece—his original designs serve as the foundation. My mother, Linda, has been steadfastly supportive throughout. Luke brings the creative direction that allows this legacy to speak to a new generation. Together, we're writing the next chapter of a story that began 71 years ago."

The NYC Jewelry Week exhibition offers collectors and connoisseurs an intimate view of this remarkable evolution. Visitors will see how Campbell's iconic designs—pieces that helped establish contemporary Native American jewelry—transform into fine jewelry that honors the past while embracing the future. Each NIGHTHORSE piece carries the weight of history and the promise of tomorrow.

Sorrel Sky Gallery SoHo is located at 419 W. Broadway, New York, NY 10012. The NIGHTHORSE exhibition during NYC Jewelry Week runs November 17-23, 2025. Private viewings available by appointment.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell calls Luke Longfellow his protégé. "We believe his art will live on for generations," says Shanan Campbell. "This is how legacy endures—not through preservation alone, but through evolution guided by those who understand both where we've been and where we're going."

About NIGHTHORSE: The NIGHTHORSE collection represents the collaborative vision of three generations: Ben Nighthorse Campbell's eight-decade design legacy, Shanan Campbell's strategic market expertise honed at the Smithsonian and through building Sorrel Sky Gallery into a multi-location gallery, and Luke Longfellow's contemporary creative direction. Crafted in the United States from 18-karat gold and platinum with natural diamonds and precious stones, each piece bridges Native American artistic heritage with modern fine jewelry.

About NYC Jewelry Week: NYC Jewelry Week is an annual week-long festival that invites a global audience to experience the world of jewelry through in-person exhibitions, shopping experiences, artist collaborations, panel discussions, and virtual programming—all under the mission of "Jewelry for All."

About Sorrel Sky Gallery

The forward-thinking approach to the art world at Sorrel Sky Gallery pairs a distinctive collection of contemporary and traditional fine art and jewelry with an unparalleled client experience. The gallery represents several acclaimed artists, including Star Liana York, Thom Ross, Ben Nighthorse, and David Yarrow. Since opening, Sorrel Sky Gallery has captured state, regional, and national attention with its commitment to diverse artistic narratives and client relationships.

High-resolution images are available upon request.

Gallery Locations:
Durango, CO: 828 Main Avenue
Santa Fe, NM: 125 West Palace Avenue
SoHo, NY: 419 West Broadway
East Hampton, NY: 58 Park Place