Venancio Aragon is a citizen of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. Aragon first began learning his art from his mother at the age of ten. Having degrees in cultural anthropology and Native American and Indigenous studies, Aragon has found methods of fusing his education and culture into his art by researching ancient textiles and techniques, spinning and dyeing fiber and weaving tapestries. Aragon views Navajo weaving as a way to preserve his cultural identity by promoting the continuation and practice of his ancestor's legacy.
Education
B.A. Native American and Indigenous Studies, Fort Lewis College, Colorado, 2010
B.A. Anthropology, University of New Mexico, 2009
Fellowships
2020 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellow, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Awards
2021 Second Place (Personal Attire and Accessories Div. C), Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2020 Best of Class Textiles, First Place (Contemporary Textiles), First Place (Traditional Textiles), Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2019 Best Of Weaving, Bernalillio Indian Arts Maket (juried), Bernalillio, NM
2019 Second Place (Contemporary Textiles), Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Council Purchase Award,
Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2019 Best of Class Textiles, Best of Division (Contemporary Textiles), First place (Contemporary Textiles), Second Place (Traditional Textiles), Santa Fe Indian Market (juried), Santa Fe, NM
2018 Innovation Award, Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2018 Honorable Mention (Textiles), Honorable Mention (Textiles), Santa Fe Indian Market (juried), Santa Fe, NM
2017 Honorable Mention (Textiles), Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2016 Honorable Mention (Textiles), Santa Fe Indian Market (juried), Santa Fe, NM
Group Exhibitions
2019 Color Riot; How Color Changed Navajo Textiles, Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ
2019-2020 Color Riot; How Color Changed Navajo Textiles, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL
2021 Color: The Beauty and Science of Color, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
2022 Tangible/Intangible, K Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY
Education
B.A. Native American and Indigenous Studies, Fort Lewis College, Colorado, 2010
B.A. Anthropology, University of New Mexico, 2009
Fellowships
2020 Rollin and Mary Ella King Native Artist Fellow, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Awards
2021 Second Place (Personal Attire and Accessories Div. C), Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2020 Best of Class Textiles, First Place (Contemporary Textiles), First Place (Traditional Textiles), Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2019 Best Of Weaving, Bernalillio Indian Arts Maket (juried), Bernalillio, NM
2019 Second Place (Contemporary Textiles), Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Council Purchase Award,
Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2019 Best of Class Textiles, Best of Division (Contemporary Textiles), First place (Contemporary Textiles), Second Place (Traditional Textiles), Santa Fe Indian Market (juried), Santa Fe, NM
2018 Innovation Award, Judge's Choice Award, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2018 Honorable Mention (Textiles), Honorable Mention (Textiles), Santa Fe Indian Market (juried), Santa Fe, NM
2017 Honorable Mention (Textiles), Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market (juried), Phoenix, AZ
2016 Honorable Mention (Textiles), Santa Fe Indian Market (juried), Santa Fe, NM
Group Exhibitions
2019 Color Riot; How Color Changed Navajo Textiles, Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ
2019-2020 Color Riot; How Color Changed Navajo Textiles, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL
2021 Color: The Beauty and Science of Color, Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe, AZ
2022 Tangible/Intangible, K Art Gallery, Buffalo, NY