Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock) won the 2020 Best of Show for her unique cradleboard, Common Ground: Culture Isn’t Black and White. The artist writes about her symbolism: “This is us today. All these images have significant meaning for us. When I say “us,” I mean my family and I, Never do I speak for a group of people. We are not bound to anyone’s idea of what Native art should look like.”
The freedom of expression was visible throughout the incredibly diverse array of award-winners. Classification winners are as follows.
Classification Winners
I. Jewelry and Lapidary
- Best of Classification: Denise Wallace (Unangax̂), Yup’ik Dancer Belt
II. Pottery
- Best of Classification: Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo), Pottery with Detached Lid
III. Paintings, Drawings, Graphics, & Photography
- Best of Classification: Angela Babby (Oglala Lakota), Turtle Island War Party (Keya Wita Ozuye)
IV. Pueblo Carvings
- Best of Classification: Alexander Youvella Sr. (Hopi), Winger Messenger
V. Sculpture
- Best of Classification: Cliff Fragua (Jemez), Avanyu in His Full Regalia
VI. Weavings & Textiles
- Best of Classification: Venancio Aragon (Diné), Polychromatic Saddle Blanket
VII. Diverse Art Forms
- Best of Classification: Jamie Okuma (Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock), Common Ground: Culture Isn’t Black and White
VIII. Baskets
- Best of Classification: August Wood (Salt River Pima), Squash Blossom
IX. Personal Attire
- Best of Classification: Catherine Black Horse (Seminole), Vision of a Falling Star
XI. Open Standards
- Best of Classification: Jason K. Brown (Penobscot), Borealis Caribou Music Box
Junior Awards
- Ages 12–14: Mosgaadace Casuse (Navajo/Ojibwe), I-B-N8V
- Ages 15–17: Ben Haskie (Navajo), Bows and Arrows: A Hunter’s Tool
Conrad House Award (Best of Innovation)
- Benson Manygoats (Navajo), Guitar
Idyllwild Arts Imagination Award
- Angela Babby (Oglala Lakota), Turtle Island War Party (Keya Wita Ozuye)