Carvers Descend on the Heard Museum for the Highly Anticipated Annual Gathering of Hopi Carvers

By Tom Surface

Known as the nation’s largest gathering of Hopi katsina doll carvers, this year, more than 100 Hopi katsina carvers trekked to the Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix for the 18th Annual Gathering of Hopi Carvers.

Best of show winner: Father & Son” by Arthur Holmes Jr.

The free admission, one-day event, held on April 13, 2019, took place in the museum’s Steele Auditorium and drew some 108 Hopi carvers from throughout the Southwest. The day also featured Native American entertainment, singing and dances.

Carvers reported that the visitor attendance was down from recent years and that sales of low- and moderatelypriced carvings sold the best. Most said the sales of more elaborate, high-end works were slow.

Many carvers entered their works in competition for Best of Show and awards in both the Contemporary and Old Style categories. Here are this year’s award winners for the 18th Annual Gathering of Hopi carvers:

1st place Contemporary winner: “Big Horn Sheep” (ram) by Gene Dawahoya