Richard Chavez
Richard Chavez (1929-2010) was a Native American jeweler and silversmith from the Pueblo of San Felipe in New Mexico, USA. He was born into a family of traditional Pueblo jewelers and began learning the craft from his father and grandfather at a young age.
In the 1950s, Chavez moved to California and began working with the famous silversmiths and jewelers Valentinetti and Armitage. He also studied jewelry making at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.
In the 1960s, Chavez returned to New Mexico and opened his own studio in Albuquerque. He became known for his intricate silverwork and use of traditional Pueblo designs and motifs, such as the bear claw, the sunface, and the raincloud.
Chavez's jewelry was collected by many famous individuals, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. He was also commissioned to create jewelry for the movie "Dances With Wolves."
In addition to his jewelry work, Chavez was a mentor to many young Native American artists and helped to preserve and promote traditional Pueblo jewelry making techniques. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field, including the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1985.
Richard Chavez passed away in 2010, but his legacy lives on through his beautiful jewelry and his impact on the Native American jewelry making community.
In the 1950s, Chavez moved to California and began working with the famous silversmiths and jewelers Valentinetti and Armitage. He also studied jewelry making at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles.
In the 1960s, Chavez returned to New Mexico and opened his own studio in Albuquerque. He became known for his intricate silverwork and use of traditional Pueblo designs and motifs, such as the bear claw, the sunface, and the raincloud.
Chavez's jewelry was collected by many famous individuals, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. He was also commissioned to create jewelry for the movie "Dances With Wolves."
In addition to his jewelry work, Chavez was a mentor to many young Native American artists and helped to preserve and promote traditional Pueblo jewelry making techniques. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field, including the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 1985.
Richard Chavez passed away in 2010, but his legacy lives on through his beautiful jewelry and his impact on the Native American jewelry making community.
