As a community, we dream big for our Zuni youth so they can make their own unique dreams come true. And at ZYEP, we know our programs are successful when we see our kids thriving — and looking toward the future with hope.
Our Emerging and Advanced Artist Apprenticeships began with such dreams, when ZYEP and several of our community’s artists came together to design an art program that would educate, inspire and empower the next generation of Zuni Pueblo artists and culture bearers. Three years later, we have graduated 116 Emerging Artist Apprentices and six Advanced Artist Apprentices.
This month, a new cohort of Emerging Artist Apprentices are beginning their study of Pueblo embroidery. And, three Advanced Artist Apprentices are hard at work on the next level in their own artistic journeys; their program started Nov. 18 and will conclude in late spring, following the students’ participation in the Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program on May 13-15.
Ryanna Waatsa-Kaskalla, 17, is pursuing watercolor painting; Mary Peynetsa, 20, is learning cross-stitching; and Janiece “Dawa” Chapella, 18, is furthering her education in Pueblo cooking. All three young people were recognized as top-three students in their respective 2024 Emerging Artist Apprenticeships, which made them eligible for the advanced program.
Ryanna Waatsa-Kaskalla got involved with ZYEP’s art program when a teacher at Zuni High School recognized her abilities and recommended that she pursue an apprenticeship. Last winter, she was accepted into the Emerging Artist Apprenticeship in watercolor painting.
“In the beginning, I really sucked at watercolors,” Ryanna says with a laugh. “I learned so much! In the end, I was chosen as one of the top three, so I was able to go to the Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival in May. That helped me improve my communication skills, talking to buyers and selling my art.”
In her advanced apprenticeship, Ryanna is spending the first three months studying with Liam Simplicio, ZYEP arts leader, and the next three months with co-instructor Lakin Epaloose. Liam and Lakin both participated in ZYEP youth programs as teenagers, and they are our youngest art instructors to date.
“I love making things look like they’re real, and in the advanced program, I’m working on painting landscapes like Dowa Yalanne (Corn Mountain, sacred to the Zuni people),” Ryanna says. “Right now, I’m working on a mini-landscape of the mountain.”
Like Ryanna, Mary Peynetsa also participated in the 2024 Emerging Artist Apprenticeship in watercolor painting, with Liam and Lakin at the helm.
“I was an art intern for ZYEP, and Liam asked if I wanted to join the watercolor apprenticeship,” Mary recalls. “My art teacher said I should, so I did, and it was really fun. I learned so many different skills, and I also was in the top three for Bernalillo. That was great, because I got to see so many other people and what they were selling, and I could ask them for advice.”
Mary went on to complete a summer Emerging Artist Apprenticeship in crochet and cross-stitch with instructors Pamela Tsadiasi and Tori Zunie. Her cohort had the opportunity to show their work at the Ancestral Rich Treasures of Zuni (ARTZ) Cooperative Gallery, and as one of the top three students, she also exhibited at the 102nd Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Red Rock Park.
“I learned to crochet during Covid,” Mary says. “I had an art block — no ideas for painting — so my mom gave me yarn and a crochet hook. I followed YouTube tutorials and then was accepted for the apprenticeship. I was uncomfortable in the beginning, but now with the advanced apprenticeship, I am meeting new people and building my confidence in talking to buyers.”
Mary is currently studying with lead instructor Elroy Natachu Jr., ZYEP’s arts coordinator. She says she is working on two aprons, both cut and sewn by hand.
“I’m working on a flowered design right now,” she said. With a laugh, she added, “I’m mixing in some crochet, so I’m multitasking!”
Unlike her fellow advanced apprentices, Dawa Chapella first got involved with ZYEP as a young child. She attended Summer Camp and participated in our annual basketball and flag football leagues.
“I always tried to join things,” she says. “I love cooking and baking, and I wanted to learn more about the traditional ways of doing them, so I applied for the apprenticeship in Pueblo cooking last fall.”
Not only did the students learn traditional and contemporary culinary arts, they also learned the ethical and correct way of foraging for traditional ingredients. What’s more, they had the thrill of participating in a ZYEP first: an art showcase that was, essentially, a food market.
The apprentices earned nearly $3,000 in two busy hours as a massive crowd filed into ZYEP, eager to taste items such as as chili jerky, parched corn, and jam made with locally harvested prickly pear.
“The chili jerky was my favorite,” Dawa shares.
As an advanced apprentice, she is studying traditional and contemporary cooking with Brittny Seowtewa, ZYEP’s food sovereignty coordinator. Brittny is guiding Dawa as she explores different flavor profiles and food preparation techniques; in the final month of the apprenticeship, Elroy will provide extra guidance around food safety, packaging and presentation.
“I’m testing different recipes right now,” Dawa says. “I’m making changes to see the differences in flavors, deciding what I want to do in my own recipes. I want to continue to cook, get more creative, and take that elsewhere — there are a lot of jobs out there!
“The apprenticeship is such a good opportunity,” she adds. “You have to take advantage of it, make yourself more comfortable with things like customer service, and push yourself creatively.”
Mary says she also is looking forward to what the future will bring.
“I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was little,” she shares. “My mom has a passion for art too, so I think I got it from her. I’ve been so happy with the apprenticeships. It’s been fun to learn new things about art and self-expression — how to show your emotions and your passion in a healthy way. I have a lot of creativity, and I want to sell more.”
Ryanna says she hopes to attend the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after her high school graduation. She plans to pursue additional instruction in pottery and ceramics.
“It has been good to come to ZYEP, because I have grown a lot,” she reflects. “It has helped me figure out what I want to do the future. I’m learning from other artists and what they have gone through.
“I’m looking forward to our trip to the Grand Canyon,” she says. “I’m learning more about how to express myself and how to share the stories behind my paintings. I can only go up from here.”