Dan Oliver
Navajo
Dan Oliver, resident Navajo silversmith at Shades of the West, creates original American Indian jewelry exclusively for Shades of the West and Bischoff’s at the Park. His father, Lloyd Oliver was Navajo and his Mother Pima. Lloyd was one of the original 29 code talkers in World War 11. As a young boy, Dan would watch his father doing silver work, so he learned the art of making jewelry from him.
Lloyd Oliver was a silversmith at Shades of the West 40 years ago. He told them his son also was a silversmith so Dan became resident silversmith of Shades of the West. Dan feels a great connection with his father when working with silver. He uses his father’s tools and the knowledge his father handed down to him.
Dan makes both contemporary and traditional silverwork. He uses pottery and rug designs in his traditional work. He said he gets inspiration from trees, mountains, animals and birds. Dan says “Silversmithing is all I’ve ever done my whole life. I would like people to remember me for my silver work.”
His work is a favorite of collectors.
Dan Oliver passed away August 17, 2015.
