Twelve Native artists took home first-place awards at this year’s Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival in Bernalillo, New Mexico. One of them was 24-year-old LaShea “Shea” Harris, who participated in the festival through the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s Advanced Artist Apprenticeship program.
Shea took home the top prize in the “Personal Attire” category, in which she showcased her Zuni embroidery on a traditional kilt, vest and shirt. She says she was very surprised to win.
“I wasn’t feeling very confident, so it was nice to get this recognition,” she explains.
Born in Zuni, Shea grew up in the pueblo until eighth grade, when she moved to the state capital to attend the Santa Fe Indian School. After graduation, she moved to Seattle for college; then, just before the pandemic hit, she transferred to A:shiwi College and Career Readiness Center in Zuni and moved home.
“I was studying biology and psychology,” Shea says. “When I was in high school, I was always in the honors program and AP classes. In my last year, I was only focused on the sciences. But then I realized I wanted to explore other options.
“I’m looking at going back to school for veterinary medicine, because there is a huge need here,” she continues. “I volunteer at the local animal clinic, and they can offer full-time employment. But, I also am interested in working full time as a self-employed artist. I have a lot of interests. I guess I want to have a taste of everything!”
She says she grew up with strong maternal influences in her life, including her grandmother and maternal aunts. One aunt in particular is, as Shea puts it, “multifaceted”; she exposed her young niece to sewing, painting and other artistic mediums.
“She was a kindergarten teacher for 50 years and recently retired,” Shea says. “I’m in a program with her to be a seamstress, which was a journey in itself, collaborating and learning to sew regalia and traditional clothing.”
When ZYEP joined with the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and Ancestral Rich Treasures of Zuni (ARTZ) to launch the Emerging Artist Apprenticeship program in March 2022, Shea already was familiar with the nonprofit youth project. She served as a Summer Camp counselor in 2017 and 2018.
Drawn to this new initiative for youth ages 12-24, she decided to join the program’s third six-week apprenticeship cohort in the fall. This cohort focused on Zuni Pueblo embroidery under the direction of co-lead instructors Elroy Natachu Jr. and Kandis Quam.
During this apprenticeship, Shea and her 12 fellow students learned about the history of Pueblo textiles from a Zuni perspective and worked on their own patterns. Developing the skill set required for this ancient Zuni art form proved to be a challenge.
“I’ve been around our regalia all my life, but I hadn’t put any thought into the creation process,” Shea says. “It was frustrating at first. It requires so much focus. I kept messing up and had to undo my work. With my first project, I started over three times! But it got easier.
“There’s a method to it, a strategy,” she notes. “I like that. If I hit a creative block, I can follow the steps and make something beautiful.”
As she worked her way through the apprenticeship, Shea says it reopened a door that she hadn’t realized was closed.
“It reopened that creativity — what I lost during the pandemic, when I wasn’t inspired to do anything,” she reflects. “I missed the creative, free-flowing person I was.”
The apprenticeship proved to be a healing process, and Shea decided to keep going. Her instructors selected her to participate in ZYEP’s Advanced Artist Apprenticeship, which provides additional opportunities for art students to learn and grow.
“I want to keep learning,” Shea says. “I told Elroy I need his guidance.”
That apprenticeship ended in April, and on May 6-7, Shea was in Bernalillo to show and sell her work.
“I sold everything I created, which was amazing,” she marvels. “I didn’t think I would sell anything. I was shocked to find such a market for this work; it’s in high demand.
“I felt proud of all the others who are creating,” she adds. “The seamstresses, the weavers. I understand the time and effort that goes into the work, and I have a heightened appreciation and gratitude for the garments I’ve been gifted in my own life.”
Shea notes that a particular highlight of her artistic journey has been the feedback she receives from community members. They tell her how important it is to do this work, to practice this art form — and to keep going.
“That has been such a blessing,” she says. “Whenever I lose motivation, I remember that a lot of cultural elements go into producing this art, and families pass down the garments to future generations.”
Shea now has specific aspirations for her own embroidery work. Going forward, she says she will take on larger projects, and someday, she will produce a full set of female regalia: dress, belt, and hair tie.
“Thanks to ZYEP for making this happen,” she says softly. “I’m so grateful. They’ve helped me so much, from the focus on mindfulness and mental health to the no-sugar policy. They give you an outlet to express yourself, and I like that the staff is so young! It’s inspiring.”
Shea also says she is proud of the youth who participate in the apprenticeship program at both levels. With each apprenticeship cohort, new artists are learning how to become culture bearers, market themselves, and help build a strong art economy in Zuni.
“I see all the young faces, and they make me happy,” she says. “Everyone is so talented. I’m blown away.”
