Meet The Artist: Jesse Monongya

Drop by the Craft in America Center Saturday, December 11 from 12:00pm-6:00pm to meet Navajo/Hopi master jewelry artist Jesse Monongya. No reservation required.
Watch the Jesse Monongya preview here.
Watch the JEWELRY episode preview here.

Jesse Monongya. Denise Kang photo. JEWELRY episode of Craft in America — Jesse Monongya at Monument Valley. Denise Kang photo

Artist Bio:

Jesse Monongya is a master Navajo/Hopi jeweler, living in Scottdale, AZ. Monongya is best known for his night-sky designs inlaid into a bear shape, which symbolizes strength and power, as well as other forms. His bracelets, necklaces, pendants, bolo ties, and earrings inlaid with Acoma jet, sugilite, coral, turquoise, lapis, and ivory among others are complemented by the dramatic southwestern landscapes that inspired him.

Monongya’s jewelry has been featured in a number of group and solo exhibitions and he has won many awards at major American Indian art shows throughout the Southwest. His work is included in major museum collections, including the Heard Museum, Northern Arizona Museum, U.S. Department of the Interior Museum, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Museum of Man, Denver Art Museum, The James Museum, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History.

Jesse Monongye, Bolo Tie and Ring. David Orr photograph. JEWELRY episode, Craft in America — Jesse Monongye, Bolo Tie and Ring. David Orr photograph

Jesse Monongye, Bear Necklace. David Orr photograph. JEWELRY episode, Craft in America — Jesse Monongye, Bolo Tie and Ring. David Orr photograph