200 Navajo Rugs to Be Auctioned Off for Natural History Museum of Utah, 6/13

The Natural History Museum of Utah will hold a silent auction of 200 Navajo crafted rugs - some nearly 150 years old - to benefit the Museum on Saturday, June 13.

The Navajo Rug Silent Auction is from 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the Canyon at the Rio Tinto Center, and is free and open to the public. On display will be a variety of contemporary and traditional rugs ranging from $100 to $15,000, and dating in age to an antique Chief's blanket made in the 1870's, giving visitors the opportunity to bid, buy and learn more about traditional Navajo rugs and culture.

The event will feature Jackson Clark II, owner of Toh-Atin Art Gallery of Durango, Colorado, an expert in Navajo rugs with more than 40 years of experience. From 10 a.m. - noon, Clark will provide free evaluations and renovation advice to visitors wanting to bring in their own Navajo rugs. At 1:30 pm, Clark will give a free talk on Navajo rugs and culture in the Museum's Community Room.

"This is a great opportunity to come to the Museum and see hundreds of beautifully crafted rugs," said Suzanne Ruhlman, Museum store manager. "We are incredibly lucky to have an expert like Jackson Clark II co-host the event with the Museum. We invite the public to come and enjoy this unique art form and learn from a recognized authority."

"The Navajo people are survivors," said Clark. "They live in one of the most inhospitable areas of the United States and yet have thrived and held on to their cultural beliefs and customs far longer than most other Native American tribes and these incredible rugs have played a huge role in allowing that to happen."

Clark's family has a long history of working with American Indian artisans. He is the third generation of the family to be involved with the trading business. He spent time with his father, traveling the Navajo reservation, visiting trading posts and weavers and developed an admiration and respect for the people and their artwork.

A percentage of the auction's proceeds will go directly to the Museum, allowing it to preserve the historic cultures of Utah. For more information on the Navajo Rug Auction or the Natural History Museum of Utah, visit nhmu.utah.edu/events/navajo-rug-auction.

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