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The places of greatest honor were reserved
for Mark’s beloved “Grandmas.” Master Weaver or not every, Navajo Grandma
was served lunch and waited on by the newly formed “Toadlena Boyz.” This
simple gesture of respect spoke volumes of the esteem Mark and Lerin Winter
have for each and every Navajo Matron that enters the Post. Sure looks like
love to me! The business at hand was
wool and the Master Weavers who spin and weave it. The work of over 50
Weavers are displayed. Two Legendary Master Weavers, Daisy Taugelchee and
Bessie Manygoats are represented by 8 exquisite rugs.
Daisy Tauglechee is presented as the Alpha
Weaver, evidenced by the fact that Mark reserved 3 enclosing walls
exclusively for 5 of Daisy’s weavings. They span 40 years of her singular
career from 1938 to 1972. They are reason enough to travel to Toadlena for
any who love of Navajo rugs. The awe
does not stop here. Simply put the exhibit presents wall after wall of one
rug more stunning than the last. The first documented, attributed
Toadlena/Two Grey Hills rug, woven by Frances Manuelito, is on display. This
piece dates to c. 1922. The most recent masterpiece was woven by Caroline
Sales, completed in March of 2004.
Each exhibition has had its own distinctive (and overwhelming) fingerprint.
The Master Weavers is the best of the best from the last 90 years. You have
the opportunity to see the most impactful gathering of Navajo rugs ever
assembled. Don’t miss it. Best
regards, John Andrews Web Marketeer
P.S. Our thanks
to John Pyson and Rosemary Good for taking the photographs. They did a great
job! |
