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SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Tonya June Rafael

Name
Tonya June Rafael
Tribe
Navajo Nation
Juried Classification(s)
Jewelry
Website

SWAIA Booth History

SFIM25
FR S 307
SFIM24
FR S 317
WIM25

2024 Award History

N/A
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement
Tonya June Rafael

Navajo Silversmith from Blackwater/Prewitt New Mexico. Raised by grandparents learned silversmithing from grandparents. I have been making jewelry since 2002. I make bracelets, pendants, "sought after" adjustable rings, squash blossom necklaces, belts, one-of-a-kind sterling silver purses studded with turquoise. I have exhibited at many prestigious juried arts shows throughout the country. Heard Museum, Smithsonian-Washington DC and NYC, Autry Museum, Eiteljorg Museum, SFIM and more. I work with sterling silver sheet and wire. Clustered Bezels. I work with variety of many natural stones, natural turquoise, coral, lapis, charoite, sigillate, amethyst, spiny oyster, and garrets.