Additional "Best of" awards were awarded to Philander Begay (Navajo), Artist's Choice - Peer award for exceptional innovative work in any media, for a silver concho belt; Ric Charlie (Navajo) for Best of Classification - Jewelry; Rainy Naha (Hopi) for Best of Classification - Pottery; W.B. Franklin ( Navajo) for Best of Classification - Paintings, Drawings, Graphics & Photography; Kevin Sekakuku (Hopi) for Best of Classification - Wooden Pueblo Figurative Carvings & Sculpture; Anthony Begay (Navajo) for Best of Classification - Sculpture; Melissa Darden (Chitimacha) for Best of Classification - Textiles & Basketry; Jamie Okuma (Shoshone Bannock/Luiseno) for Best of Classification - Diverse Art Forms; Chris Youngblood Cutler (Santa Clara Pueblo) for Best of Classification - Youth (17 years and under); Gloria Kahe (Navajo) for Helen Naha Award; Chandler Goodstrike (Gros Ventre) for Indian Arts Fund Award; and America Meredith (Cherokee) for IAIA Distinguished Alumni Award - for Excellence in Contemporary Native American Arts. Six of the winning artists were available at the presentation and announcement. They are pictured below. (L-R) Ric Charlie, Melissa Darden, Dallin Maybee, Jamie Okuma, Chris Youngblood Cutler, America Meredith
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Posted by William Ernest Waites, Eyewriter, and Susanne Waites, Aboriginals Gallery.