Gloria comes from a prolific line of Master Weavers. She says, “My work is dedicated to the ancestors for making the sacrifice in preserving and teaching their offspring.” She grew up near Ganado Mesa, in Snakeflat. Her family’s clan is Coyote Pass-Jemez Pueblo. And her passion for weaving started early when she was taught by her mother and grandmother to weave at 3 years old. Gloria grew up watching her family sheering sheep, cleaning the fleece, carting, hand spinning and vegetable-dyeing wool.
Gloria’s late grandmother was Navajo Master Weaver, Grace Henderson Nez born north of Kinlichee, in Nothern Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. Grace is the recipient of the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts Award for 2005. She raised hundreds of merino sheep for years, however due to the Livestock Reduction Act, later she was forced to only rise thirty head of sheep.
Gloria’s mother is Navajo Master Weaver Mary Henderson Begay. Mary is the recipient of the Living Legend Award 2018, Arizona Governors Award. Mary worked for over forty years at Hubbell Trading Post, National Historic Site in Ganado, Arizona. She retired in 2005. Mary was commissioned by the Gloria F. Ross Tapestries for several weavings designed by Kenneth Noland.
Gloria stated, “With such amazing roots, it is only necessary to continue my family legacy as I am armed with exceptional skills from two of the best instructors, mentors of the Navajo Nation. Gloria has developed her own unique style in her weavings which are still of Navajo patterns, however they are more contemporary and sometimes abstract. “I’m fond of working with vegetal dyed yarn as well as bright colors such as cochineal red and indigo blue. My other favorites are prickly pear and pomegranate organic dye. I like to push traditional boundaries, however, always getting confirmation from the family for approval while staying within the limits of respecting myself and Navajo culture and religion. Through this evolution, I was able to create my own contemporary style,” says Fain.
Gloria has partnered with a US based textile mill, American Dakota and is debuting three machine-made versions of her rug designs this Spring at the Heard Indian Fair and Market. American Dakota splits the profit with each Indigenous artist they partner with. This partnership allows Gloria to make a continual stream of income from an original handwoven rug that took months to create.
Gloria says of her partnership with American Dakota, “It’s exciting to see our weavings in another dynamic as these Navajo patterns are trending in pop culture such as fashion, tattoos, entertainment, arts and social media as the craft itself continues to evolve."
Gloria’s rugs along with one of her mothers are available in 7 sizes.
Visit www.americandakota.com for more info and a list of authorized dealers.