Department of Cultural and Community Engagement. Division of Arts and Museums. Folk Arts Program Navajo Basket project files, 1991-2007.

This fieldwork project identified a strong contemporary tradition in Navajo or Dine basket weaving that has been perpetuated in the Utah section of the Navajo Reservation. Documentation features artists related to Navajo basket weaver Mary Holiday Black, an artist who figures centrally in the tradition as well as artists from the Rock and Bitsinnie families. Research uncovered the role of trading post owners in influencing elements of basket design and in influencing production for the tourist market. Much of this documentation is of the Simpson family collection (traders in San Juan County) and includes Navajo, Ute, and Paiute baskets, and baskets of other tribal groups.

As part of this project the Folk Arts Program mounted an exhibition of Navajo Basketry at the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts in 1994, entitled "Willow Stories: Contemporary Navajo Baskets from the Simpson Collection." A number of baskets were purchased for the State Folk Arts Collection and curated into a traveling exhibit for the Utah Arts Council Visual Arts Program entitled "Willow Stories." A grant from the National Endowment for the Arts resulted in the publication of "Willow Stories: Utah Navajo Baskets" compiled and edited by Carol Edison.

This series includes project-related files such as research materials, "Willow Stories" exhibit and publication information, Governor's Fold Award press release and booklets, and photos and recordings of the exhibits and collections.

Materials in this series were assigned a project number by the Folk Arts Program, consisting of a three-letter code, creation year, a letter indicating format, and the numerical order of the materials.