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 14 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Dianne Key
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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 Key
Saturday, March 15 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Dianne Key
-
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 Key
Adriana Felix
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Yaqui artist, raised in Tucson who creates detailed clay dolls. I was raised in the community of Old Pascua. Here I learned to cherish and be inspired by my Yaqui culture. Growing up I was surrounded by the colors, music, Pascolas, Matachin, and the Deer Dancers. These experiences help me create my artistic expression.
—Adriana Felix
Maria Arvayo
@arvayo_maria-
My work consists of plein air work of the Sonoran Desert region.
—Maria Arvayo
Renee Cruz
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I bead Man in the Maze medallions and make traditional baskets. I do a lot of basket design in my beadwork
—Renee Cruz
Sherrie Cruz
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I do beadwork of our Tohono O’odham flag and other Native American designs.
—Sherrie Cruz
JD Aragón
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I do designs of traditional Hopi geometric patterns depicted in pottery, clothing, basketry, and other traditional symbolic references of nature. I do acrylic paint on wood, canvas, and leather.
—JD Aragón
Sunday, March 16 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Dianne Key
-
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 Key
Thursday, March 20 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Jared Pilone
-
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 Key
-
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 Key
Friday, March 21 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m.
Jared Pilone
-
I do Tohono O’odham Man in the Maze designs in my Woodwork
—Jared Pilone
Derrick Gonzales
-
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 Key
-
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 Key
Saturday, March 22 5:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. (during Winedown with Wildlife)
Dianne Key
-
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 Key
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
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@desertmuseum.org or call 520-883-3021.