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.

Activity schedules subject to additions and changes — check back often for the latest updates!

Artist Details

My daughters and I weave Tohono O’odham horsehair baskets and Jewelry. —Elena Mendez

My yucca baskets come from traditional Tohono O’odham basket weavers. The baskets were used for cooking corn and wheat. Back when willow was grown on O’odham land it was used for carrying water and keeping dry food. —Geneva Acosta

Kathleen Vance is Tohono O'odham and San Carlos Apache. While preparing for her daughters coming of age ceremony, Kathleen met an elder woman and traditional potter who taught her how to harvest and process traditional clays in order to make a ceremonial pot for her daughter. This experience provided the foundational skills and knowledge that would inspire her to expand her skills set and teach others. Kathleen considers herself to be a traditional utilitarian potter, but also uses clay to make whistles and effigies.

My mom, Cheryl, crochets desert turtles and cactus. I do a more contemporary take on our traditional shell necklaces and earrings. —Valerie Francisco

Cheryl Francisco crochets desert tortoises and cactus along with other items indigenous to southwest AZ. Valerie Francisco takes a modern influence on traditional beaded jewelry. Both Cheryl and Valerie Francisco are self-taught artists and have been practicing and honing their craft for decades.