Tse Bi Taa Hi’ (Winged Rock). Courtesy photo

Tse Yaanii Chii (End of Red Rocks). Courtesy photo

ART News:

Parent Teacher Conference Break: Navajo Yucca Brush Painting Art Camp, March 20, 21, 23, 2024 at Los Alamos Church of Christ at 2323 Diamond Dr.

Instructor: Elmer “Charlie Rooster” Yazzie.

Wednesday March 20 – Cultural information on the bayonet yucca.
Make a set of yucca brushes.
Practice using the yucca brushes.

Thursday March 21 – Yucca brush painting techniques.
Paint a 9-inch x 12-inch yucca brush watercolor. 

Friday March 22 – Paint two 9-inch x 12-inch watercolors.
4:30-6 p.m. Children’s Art Show Open to the Public

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grades 4-8

Limited registration

First Child, $50 per Day. Additional siblings, $25 per Day.
Scholarships available.

Location: Los Alamos Church of Christ at 2323 Diamond Dr.

Call to Register: 505.663.7755

Morning and afternoon snacks provided.
Children must bring their own lunch.

Elmer Yazzie

Born in Rehoboth, N.M. (1954), Elmer is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Boyhood days were spent on the reservation, where he was educated at Shiprock Elementary and Rehoboth Mission School. Later he graduated from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan (‘76).

Beginning with a career as a full-time art educator for grades K-12 and then developing his own art while teaching full and part time, since August of 1976, Yazzie has captured the attention of art appreciators and students world-wide. 

Yazzie’s unique use of the bayonet yucca plant for his brushes has brought opportunities for presentations, lectures, exhibits and seminars. Invited to show and teach in China, Germany, Israel, France, Netherlands, Belize and throughout North America, he is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. His finesse as educator and artist enables the learner to understand his culture as it relates to art. His presentations have been well received at all age levels.

Painting skies and symbolic life themes in a wide variety of sizes are his specialties. He is especially gifted in creating images spontaneously from conversations, verbal presentations or life experiences. Demonstrations of this type of transfer inspiration and encouragement to aspiring artists everywhere. Mural work has also strengthened his experience. His murals range in size from a 36 square foot mural in a private home to a 4,000 square foot mural in northeastern Arizona.