Roy Talaheftewa
Hopi artist, Roy Talahaftewa, was born on the Hopi reservation in 1955 in the Second Mesa village of Shungopvi and is a member of the Young Corn clan. Watching older silversmiths, he began learning the art of making jewelry.
He attended the Institute of American Arts in Santa Fe and was influenced by the style of Allan Houser. He has become an award-winning Hopi silversmith whose jewelry is collected worldwide. Roy has developed a style beyond the traditional Hopi overlay method and combines 14K gold and sterling silver and a variety of gemstones, preferring red and pick coral, lapis, natural turquoise and opals for his contemporary pieces.
Roy began his career in jewelry making in the 1970’s and eventually presented his work at the Heard Museum Indian Art show in 1981, where he won Best of Division, Best of Classification, and Best of Show.
Roy’s continues to make beautiful jewelry and also finds time to work with the non-profit Hopi Pu'tavi Project, Inc., where he teaches Hopi youth the art of silversmithing, and is an active advocate and promoter of Hopi artists at Second Mesa on the reservation.
