Turquoise in Southwestern History, Art and Culture

Tour a turquoise mine, and meet master artists from Zuni, Hopi, Santo Domingo, and the Navajo Nation

Tour full! To get on waiting list, call Bronwyn (800.422.8975, ext. 136) or Clay (800.422.8975, ext. 160).

Zuni silver and turquoise necklace (partial).

May 5–11, 2013

$2,795 (member*)
$2,920 (nonmember)

Deposit: $400
Balance due: March 6, 2013

*Minimum $100 level
(see Membership)

Turquoise is a highly prized gemstone of great historical and cultural significance in the American Southwest. In this extraordinary educational tour, join the husband and wife team of Joe and Cindy Tanner—members of a trading-post family dynasty and owners of one of the finest collections of natural turquoise in the world—as we explore the artistic, economic, and sacred value of turquoise in American Indian culture.

Our journey takes us through northern New Mexico, where award-winning Pueblo and Navajo artists from Zuni, Hopi, Santo Domingo (Kewa), and the Navajo Nation demonstrate their craft, share their family traditions, and describe how their artistic identities have become inextricably linked to particular varieties of turquoise.

Learn how history and culture have influenced the development of Southwestern American Indian art and jewelry

Meet world-renowned Navajo and Pueblo artists, and see demonstrations of how they create their masterpieces in stone and silver

Tour the the Tiffany turquoise mine in the Cerrillos Hills, and see how raw turquoise is extracted from the earth

Visit the Tanner's private gallery, which includes turquoise specimens from around the world and an outstanding collection of American Indian art

Scholars

Joe and Cindy Tanner are among the best-known American Indian art traders in the Southwest. Joe is a fourth-generation "old-school" trader and a leading authority on turquoise sources, history, and use. He and Cindy are passionate about cultivating local native talent and have helped advance the careers of some of the most recognizable names in Southwest Indian art. Both are popular scholars on Crow Canyon tours.

In addition, we will be joined regularly by a variety of master Pueblo and Navajo Indian artists, as well as veteran miners, collectors, and jewelry designers.

Summary Itinerary

A detailed itinerary is available in the program brochure (PDF). Itinerary subject to change.

Note: Tour includes demonstrations of silversmithing and stone-setting techniques by master American Indian artists. Silversmithing techniques include tufa casting, cuttlebone casting, overlay, and hand-hammered; stone-setting techniques include inlay, channel, and mosaic. There will be opportunities for leisurely discussions with the scholars and artists and plenty of time to purchase jewelry and other works of art.

For larger map, click here.

Sunday, May 5
Arrival in Albuquerque, New Mexico; introductory program by geoarchaeologist Cynthia Hotujec-Kantner; lodging in Albuquerque (D)

Monday, May 6
Cerrillos Hills: Tour Tiffany turquoise mine; visit with Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) artists and storytellers; lodging in Albuquerque (B, L, D)

Tuesday, May 7
Albuquerque: Turquoise Museum and Sunwest Silver (cut and polish your own stone); meet artists (B, L, D)

Wednesday, May 8
Gallup: Visit the Tanner's private gallery, which showcases turquoise from around the world and a wide range of American Indian Art; lodging in Gallup (B, L, D)

Thursday, May 9
See native lapidarists at work at Supersmith, Inc., in Gallup, before driving to Zuni Pueblo, where we meet with local artists; lodging in Gallup (B, L, D)

Friday, May 10
Gallup: Visit with Navajo and Hopi artists; farewell dinner; lodging in Gallup (B, L, D)

Saturday, May 11
Drive to Albuquerque for flights home (B)

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

Cancellation

The following penalty schedule applies: On or before March 6, 2013: $200 handling fee; after March 6, 2013: forfeiture of all payments. For complete cancellation and refund policy, see Terms and Conditions.

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California
CST 2059347-50