Indigenous Artist Demonstration Program
Throughout the spring and summer of 2025 the Desert Museum will host Indigenous Artists to display, demonstrate, and sell their work.
Artists and Dates
Activity schedules subject to additions and changes — check back often for the latest updates!
Friday, March 21 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Jared Pilone
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I do Tohono O’odham Man in the Maze designs in my Woodwork
—Jared Pilone
Derrick Gonzales
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In my artwork I display how humans, animals, and plants, are connected. There are cultural items and words to showcase how we’re stronger together.
—Derrick Gonzales
Dianne Kee
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The work I do are southwest style jewelry combined with local tribe (Navajo) and been in the area for 25 years in Tucson. I’ve been in the business all my life helping my late mom and beadwork is more of what I have been doing.
—Dianne Kee
Saturday, March 22 5:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. (during Winedown with Wildlife)
Dianne Kee
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The work I do are southwest style jewelry combined with local tribe (Navajo) and been in the area for 25 years in Tucson. I’ve been in the business all my life helping my late mom and beadwork is more of what I have been doing.
—Dianne Kee
Saturday, April 5 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Carrie Cannon
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Turquoise is found naturally occurring within the Southwest including the Sonoran Desert Region. It forms in areas where deposits of phosphorous exist along with copper and aluminum. Cutting into each stone of turquoise is an act of revealing. It is sharing a slice of the beautiful. I pair my lapidary and silversmithing skills in the creation of each unique piece. I source turquoise rough stone from the Kingman Mine in Arizona which i cut, grind, sand, and polish and pair with my silversmithing, a practice that connects me to the artistic traditions of the Southwest.
—Carrie Cannon
Maria Arvayo
@arvayo_maria-
My work consists of plein air work of the Sonoran Desert region.
—Maria Arvayo
Susana Arellano and Anivella Guiterrez
- Susana Arellano is a Tucson curandera who learned the practice of healing the heavy-hearted and the art of making ojos de venado (deer eyes), a protective amulet within Yaqui culture from Nana Mary Lue, a Yoeme medicine woman from Tucson’s Pascua Yaqui community. With over 40 years of experience, Susana is now working with her daughter Anivella Gutierrez. Susana was awarded a Master-Apprentice Artist Award in 2021 from the Southwest Folklife Alliance to pass on her tradition.
Saturday, April 18 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Susana Arellano and Anivella Guiterrez
- Susana Arellano is a Tucson curandera who learned the practice of healing the heavy-hearted and the art of making ojos de venado (deer eyes), a protective amulet within Yaqui culture from Nana Mary Lue, a Yoeme medicine woman from Tucson’s Pascua Yaqui community. With over 40 years of experience, Susana is now working with her daughter Anivella Gutierrez. Susana was awarded a Master-Apprentice Artist Award in 2021 from the Southwest Folklife Alliance to pass on her tradition.
More dates coming soon!
Indigenous Artists: Demonstrate and sell your work! Stipend & sales, and many dates available. If interested please fill out this form and email it to dcolodner@866kq.com or call 520-883-3021.