Don Supplee

Hopi artist, Don Supplee was born in 1965 in Ganado, Arizona and grew up near the Hopi Reservation in Flagstaff, Arizona. And he is a member of the Bear clan. The son of two teachers, he was encourage to pursue his dreams, which happened to lead him to culinary school. After several years as an accomplished chef, Don began observing the jewelry making techniques of his older brother, Charles, an acclaimed silversmith. Don worked with his brother for three years and began to develop his own style using metal fabrication, inlaying, stone casting and the lost wax process to make his jewelry. He incorporates three-dimensional carving and likes the combination of turquoise, coral, and diamonds in 14K gold. His natural skill and talent have not gone unnoticed, he has been featured in various magazines including Arizona Highways. His stunning pieces have garnered numerous awards and ribbons at the Annual Intertribal Ceremonial in Gallup, NM. Don credits his love of nature and appreciation of his Hopi heritage, which give him an opportunity to incorporate the relationship of symbolism, symmetry, harmony and tradition. He is featured in Art of the Hopi by Jerry and Lois Jacka. His pieces are in the National Collection in Washington DC and he was recently featured in the exhibits Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation, 1 2002, in New York City at the American Craft Museum, and Jewels Of The Southwest 2002 at the Museum of Arts and Culture in New Mexico. Don has been the featured artist at the Gilcrease Museum in Oklahoma, Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming, Eiteljorge Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the Indian Craft Shop at the Department of Interior in Washington DC.

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