ZUNI, N.M. (Nov. 25, 2025) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is welcoming three new apprentices to its Advanced Artist Apprenticeship program for 2025-26. Made possible through support from the Bezos Family Foundation, Ancestral Rich Treasures of Zuni (ARTZ) Cooperative, and First Nations Development Institute, the intensive six-month apprenticeship began Nov. 17 and concludes May 22, 2026.
Vanicka Neha, 23, will study Pueblo embroidery with Elroy Natachu Jr., ZYEP’s arts coordinator, and Kandis Quam, arts leader. Tiyana Haloo, 23, will be working with art instructors Breydon Othole and Mia Sutanto to continue her education in painting and graphic arts. And Joseph Lucio, 23, will work with art instructors Gaylan Westika and Jacob Frye to further develop his skills in Zuni Pueblo pottery.
Students and instructors will meet at least once per week, with additional sessions as needed. All sessions will take place in the ZYEP art room at Ho’n A:wan Park.
Then as their program comes to an end, the three advanced apprentices will have an opportunity to visit Grand Canyon National Park with ZYEP staff. Through the Grand Canyon Cultural Demonstration Program at Desert View Watchtower, they will share their art forms and personal artistic journeys with national park visitors from around the world.
Founded in 2022, ZYEP’s Advanced Artist Apprenticeship is designed to give students opportunities to further expand their skills, experiment in their chosen medium, and develop a personal vision for their artistic journey. This intensive one-on-one program also provides additional business-related education and mentorship so the students are empowered to pursue artistic careers.
According to Natachu, the ZYEP staff is deepening the program’s focus on entrepreneurship for 2025-26.
“We are making it even more intentional,” he explained. “Not only are we teaching the students about bios, artist statements, and headshots, we’re also talking with them about building their own businesses—everything from taxes, to the tribal and state forms they need to complete, to the human aspect of the art life.”
That means self-care, or what Natachu calls “those things we put on the back burner.” As they fine-tune their artistic and entrepreneurial skills, students will learn how to prioritize their health and well-being as well.
Also new this year, ZYEP has arranged to have pairs of instructors for each advanced apprentice. The students will spend three months with the first teacher and three months with the second.
“We feel this will give them well-rounded instruction in their chosen medium, because each instructor has their own individual experiences and stories to share,” Natachu said. “For example, Gaylan is a traditional Zuni potter while Jacob comes from Tesuque Pueblo. Each presents a different cultural perspective.”
Over the years, many of ZYEP’s Advanced Artist Apprentices have been the top students in the youth project’s beginner-level Emerging Artist Apprenticeship program, usually in the same artistic medium. Tiyana Haloo was one of the top four students in the 2025 Emerging Artist Apprenticeship in painting and graphic arts, and now she will continue that journey in her advanced apprenticeship.
That is not always the case, however. Vanicka Neha, one of the top three students in last year’s cooking apprenticeship, elected to pursue Pueblo embroidery at the advanced level. And Joseph Lucio, who is studying Zuni Pueblo pottery as an advanced apprentice, is new to ZYEP’s arts program.
Natachu said the ZYEP team carefully assesses each candidate to determine if they are a good fit for the advanced apprenticeship, and if they demonstrate the right qualities, there is no need for strict prerequisites.
“Vanicka is a good entrepreneur and wants to bring back ancestral designs and forms,” he said. “Joseph is considering an art career and also wants to give back to the community through knowledge sharing.
“All three of these young people are inquisitive, mindful of others, and highly committed to learning and attendance. They show strong social skills, overall drive, and involvement in their chosen art forms as well.”
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. And, 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.
