Grace Henderson Nez

The rising sun brings wealth and good fortune, therefore the doors would face east to better capture it.

[4][3] The women were tasked with raising the sheep, then at the appropriate time they would use various methods to turn the wool into yarns for weaving.

She encouraged her children and grandchildren to attend college in order to attain a higher level of education.

[3] In 1941, Henderson Nez gave birth to her daughter Mary Lee Begay on the Navajo Reservation in Ganado, Arizona.

Henderson Nez and Begay choose to alter this to help build their identities as separate artists.

Since the rugs were bought by Euro-Americans, the weavers began to change the styles and colors to better accommodate their preferences.

[5] When you learn how to weave, you also improve many other skills, like self-control, patience, tenacity, making decisions and develop your thinking.

This spirit line connects the inside of the rug to the outside enabling the weaver to spiritually move on to the next weaving.

One of the old-style weaving designs she did that was inspired by the ceremonial baskets is still on display at the Hubbell Trading Post.

[4][6] Henderson Nez's rugs became famous because of her extreme attention to detail with her vivid geometric designs.

[3] More than 150 years ago, Navajo women wove a shoulder blanket, Henderson Nez reproduced this design.

Black represents darkness, white shows the spiritual side, and red symbolizes the earth.

[2] These types of blankets were only for people of status or the wealthy due to the fact that the weaver would use finer textiles.