ETHELBAH RECEIVES 2009 NATIVE TREASURES LIVING TREASURE AWARD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 9, 2009

ETHELBAH RECEIVES 2009 NATIVE TREASURES LIVING TREASURE AWARD

(Santa Fe, NM)--The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) has named celebrated Santa Clara/White Mountain Apache sculptor Upton Ethelbah, Jr as the fourth recipient of the Native Treasures Living Treasure Award.

Each year, the museum awards its Native Treasures artist with a Living Treasure Award, in recognition of both an excellent body of artistic work and contributions to the Native community and to MIAC.

"We are delighted to be recognizing Uppie with the Native Treasures Living Treasure Award this year," says Shelby Tisdale, Director of MIAC. "His work represents a wonderful combination of traditional inspiration executed in a contemporary style."

Ethelbah, who also goes by the name Greyshoes, works both in stone; soapstone, limestone, alabaster, marble; as well as in bronze. After a career in education and social work, Ethelbah, a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Navy, traded pen and paper for sculpting tools after a friend presented him with a chunk of red and green alabaster. Ethelbah draws upon his Apache and Pueblo heritages to create flowing, contemporary images for his carvings.

"Even before I started my career as a stone and bronze sculptor, I have had a blessed life," states Ethelbah. "I have always had the love and support of my family, relatives, and friends-both in the Indian and the non-Indian world. And now that I am receiving this prestigious award from the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, I would like to share this recognition with my immediate family: my father, Upton Ethelbah (92), my mother, brother and sister who are deceased, my sons, Upton III and Lucas Kwa-ay, and my fiancee, Julie Garcia. In addition, I share this recognition with my extended family from Santa Clara Pueblo and the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and of course my fellow sculptors, whom I truly respect and from whom I continue to learn. Lastly, I thank the creator for the many blessings in my life."

Ethelbah will also be the featured artist at the Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival, which takes place Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, 2009, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. More than 170 artists from 40 tribes and pueblos will showcase and sell their pottery, jewelry, glass, painting, sculpture, carvings, textiles and other art. This festival will benefit the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.

"The funds raised from Native Treasures each year supports our artists, programs and exhibitions," adds Tisdale. "Our exhibitions would not be as high quality as they are without Native Treasures. Our #1 goal is support for these artists. For many, what they earn at our show supports them and their families for the year."

Ethelbah will be presented with the Native Treasures Living Treasure Award at the Native Treasures Benefit Pre-Sale Gala on Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m. at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. The award will be presented by Connie Tsosie Gaussoin, last year's Living Treasure Award recipient.

Tickets to the Benefit Pre-Sale Gala are $75, and are available by calling (505) 982-6366, ext. 112. The evening features elegant hors d'oeuvres, a wine bar, and a pre-sale of select works by Native Treasures artists. The benefit ticket price also includes an Early Bird ticket (for entry from 9-10 a.m.) for the Native Treasures show on Saturday, May 24.

www.nativetreasuressantafe.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calendar Listing & Information

NATIVE TREASURES: INDIAN ARTS FESTIVAL

WHAT:
Native Treasures, now in its fifth year, is an invitational art show and sale featuring the best Native art in the U.S. Proceeds benefit the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

Featuring

More than 170 museum-quality artists from 40 tribes and pueblos
Best and brightest of the Indian art world
Santa Fe's only museum-quality Indian art show
Food from the Cowgirl Bar & Grill
Relaxed, intimate event for collectors, dealers and sightseers
2009 Native Treasures Living Treasure award to outstanding Native sculptor Santa Clara/White Mountain Apache sculptor Upton Ethelbah, Jr

WHEN:
Saturday May 23 & Sunday May 24, 2009
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,$5; Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Free
(Early Bird Market Saturday, 9-10 a.m., $15)
Festival tickets available at entrance.
Tickets are available at the door. Admission on Sunday is free.
Friday, May 22, 6-8 p.m.
Benefit Pre-Sale Gala, offering special pieces selected by each artist.
Attendees will meet the artists and mingle with other collectors.
Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served.
$75. Price includes an Early Bird ticket for Saturday.
Tickets 505-982-6366, ext. 112.

WHERE:
Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy Street , Santa Fe, NM 87501

INFO:
505-476-1250; www.nativetreasuressantafe.org

Contact:
Jennifer Marshall
505-231-1776
jennifer@jmarshallplan.com
www.jmarshallplan.com