2020 Heard Fair Award Winners

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)