Honoring an Artful Connection

Brilliant colors and patterns combine to form Navajo wool weavings, displayed amidst baskets, jewelry, carvings and other pieces of handcrafted Native American art at Raven Makes Gallery. Looking closely at the rugs, one might notice a “spirit line,” or imperfection. These tiny flaws in a rug or basket are embedded with intention, reflecting that even when inspired by universal beauty, it is important to remember to remain humble.

“In the vast majority of artists and pieces of Native American art, there is a prayer and a meditation behind it,” said LaRita Chapman, co-owner of the gallery with her husband, Chris Morin. “Whoever acquires the art is feeling a social harmony and balance, and will bring it forward.”

Raven Makes Gallery in Sisters, which opened on July 1, offers Native American artwork that explores cultural identity within traditional origins and contemporary perspectives. The owners respectfully share indigenous artwork with the world, to bring forth a resonating connection to something larger.

Chapman and Morin met in Alaska almost 20 years ago. Chapman grew up exploring rural Alaska and native communities, and Morin served as a wilderness guide and school teacher, where he met the Inuit children who came to Fairbanks for summer camp.

Following their time in Alaska, the couple moved to the Navajo Nation in Northeastern Arizona. They worked as special-education teachers, living in the Southwest landscape and being part of the community for 11 years.

“You get the experience not just in the natural land and beauty,” said Morin, “but you learn in a more deep way.”

Upon retiring in May, they knew it was important to maintain a connection to their community and continue their experience as teachers in a new way. As lovers and collectors of Native American art, they chose to open a gallery and share with others the culture and beauty of indigenous communities.

“That experience is all here, whether it is in symbolic ways or representative ways, and that is what we hope to bring to the gallery,” said Morin.

The gallery offers artwork from communities around the country —from the Inuit in Canada to the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi in the Southwest, to the Blackfeet and Pawnee in the plains, and everywhere in between. Much of the artwork is traditionally utilitarian items made from materials of the earth. Baskets are weaved from reeds and willows, carvings sculpted from stone and clay, ceremonial sticks respectfully harvested from wood, and dolls assembled from corn husks. Each piece is hand-chosen, and none are artifacts or ceremonial pieces.

“What is behind Native American art is its connection to cultural values and its sense of mystery,” said Chapman.

In many native cultures, the raven is a powerful and mythological animal. It is always making something — making mischief, making the world, making humanity — and in this case, Raven Makes Gallery.

The owners chose to open the gallery, one of the only of its kind in the West, in the community of Sisters. It is located on Hood Avenue among other galleries in Sisters’ art district. The teachers knew little about opening a business, so they talked with many gallery owners to learn. They balance the business operations with their teaching skills to educate others through art.

“It took a level of courage for us,” said Chapman. “We have gratitude for people who mentored us and supported us, including the people of Sisters.”

The local community has been very excited and curious about the gallery. Residents and travelers wander into the space, drawn to certain pieces. The couple share stories and intentions held in the pieces, and provide biographies of the artists to customers.

The artists are of different ages and backgrounds. Some are youths who Morin taught in his special-education classes, and others are established artists whose art pieces hang around the world.

Douglas Yazzie, in his 60s, lives near Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. The Navajo man has been drawing since he was 6 years old, taking paper bags in which his mother brought home groceries, and using them as canvas. Today, he works with mixed media — watercolor, India ink, acrylic, and oil — to create paintings of landscape and portraits that have been purchased around the world.

Morin and Chapman knew Yazzie while working as teachers in Arizona, and would purchase his paintings for their home. When they asked to purchase his paintings for the gallery, Yazzie was surprised at first, and appreciative for something larger than himself.

“It’s a wonderful thing that they can open up a gallery to expose more Native artists in the United States,” Yazzie said. “I appreciate them doing that, and it encourages artists to do more.”

The artwork reflects the culture, values, traditions, and wisdom of the Native American communities. The couple, during their time in Arizona, were invited to ceremonies surrounded by all of the natural elements of the earth. When they look at the artwork, they feel that connection, and aspire to share it with others to know they are included in that.

“I hope our gallery reflects that peace and idea of harmony with challenges,” said Champan, “and that it’s all here.”