ZUNI, N.M. (Oct. 27, 2026) — Four young Zuni artists will travel to Albuquerque and Santa Fe next month for two days of cultural exploration, museum visits and opportunities to connect with professionals in the Native art world. The Nov. 13-14 field trip will bring together the top four students from the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project’s fall Emerging Artist Apprenticeship in beadwork, which concluded Friday, Oct. 23, with a public showcase at Ho’n A:wan Park.
The four selected apprentices are Makaya Chavez, 20; Jensen Homer, 19; Evan Lalio, 23; and Alexia Laweka, 21. They were among 11 young people who participated in the 10-week apprenticeship, which was made possible with support from the Bezos Family Foundation and First Nations Development Institute.
During the program, the young artists learned beadwork techniques, cultural history and the practical skills involved in developing inventory, pricing artwork and interacting with customers. According to ZYEP Arts Coordinator Elroy Natachu Jr., the top four apprentices were selected based on their performance throughout the program, with particular emphasis on their initiative and willingness to support others.
“We selected these four students based on their attendance, class participation and productivity,” Natachu said. “We also looked for apprentices who were proactive, who assisted their fellow students, and who asked questions and sought extra help.”
The November trip replaces ZYEP’s traditional Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program experience, which was canceled following the August flash flooding at Grand Canyon National Park. The canyon holds deep cultural significance for the Zuni people, and the demonstration program has provided opportunities for emerging artists to share their work with visitors from around the world.
Although the apprentices will not be conducting demonstrations at the Grand Canyon this fall, the alternative itinerary will offer a different kind of learning experience. Natachu said the group will visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque as well as select museums and shops in both cities, allowing students to explore beadwork collections and meet vendors specializing in their art form.
The experience builds on the work they completed under the guidance of instructors Vanicka Neha and Aidan Banteah-Yuselew. The apprenticeship introduced students to techniques including peyote, whip, lazy and appliqué stitches, with projects ranging from bracelets, earrings and keychains to lanyards, wristlets and medallions.
As the Oct. 23 showcase approached, the apprentices concentrated on finishing their pieces, with some needing extra time to ensure their work met their own standards, Natachu said. The instructors also prepared students for the challenges of interacting with prospective customers, setting up a sample sales booth and conducting role-playing exercises.
“We wanted them to practice engaging with different types of people,” Natachu explained. “It was a good way to ease them into it.”
Those preparations were put to the test during the showcase. For two and a half hours, the apprentices displayed and sold their work while talking with family, friends and community supporters about their art.
“We didn’t get a huge crowd because there were cultural activities happening in the village,” said Shelley Edaakie, ZYEP’s office coordinator. “However, we did get a steady amount of people coming through from the time it started to the end.”
Among the visitors were three people from out of town who had seen a showcase flyer at the Zuni Tribal Building. Families stopped to admire the apprentices’ work, and Edaakie estimated that most people purchased at least one piece.
A young couple made a point of asking the apprentices about their favorite pieces and which techniques they most enjoyed. Several pointed to their medallions.
“A couple of the apprentices were a bit shy and nervous at the beginning, but they slowly opened up and were actively engaging with each other and the people who came,” Edaakie said, noting that one exchange in particular stayed with her.
She said she overheard a younger apprentice telling instructor Vanicka Neha that beadwork helped take her mind off personal struggles. Neha encouraged the student to continue creating, explaining the art form could support her mental health and remain a positive part of her life.
“I could see how proud the instructors, Aidan and Vanicka, were of their students,” Edaakie said. “They encouraged them to keep working on their beading, even if they aren’t going to sell the things they make.”
That emphasis on personal well-being has become increasingly important as ZYEP prepares for the sixth year of its art apprenticeship program. Natachu said staff members have learned that young people enter the classroom with different levels of experience, competing responsibilities and individual needs.
Some advance quickly, while others require more time and encouragement. Natachu said ZYEP’s goal is to create a safe space that “encourages versus discourages.”
Those observations are shaping changes to the program in 2027. Rather than concluding each apprenticeship with a formal public showcase, ZYEP plans to host smaller celebrations where students can share their accomplishments with family and friends in a more relaxed setting.
At the end of the year, the youth project will bring apprentices together for one large art market. The top four students from each cohort will be guaranteed booths.
“The big market will give the students more time to get ready,” Natachu said.
At press time, staff members were reaching out to prospective candidates for the 2027 Advanced Artist Apprenticeship, with final selections expected by late November or early December. The next Emerging Artist Apprenticeship will begin in January.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. To stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09).
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
