Location: CSWS Lyceum
5:00 PM Reception and Hors ‘doeuvers
6:00 PM Film Screening & Remarks
Join the Center of Southwest Studies and Diné College for a free special screening of a recently released, unauthored documentary about influential contemporary Diné textile and fiber artist, sheepherder, and farmer Kevin Aspaas.
Produced by Shane R. Hendren, Diné College's 2025 Mellon Foundation Artist-in-Resident Fellow, the film highlights Aspaas’ traditional practices and cultural artistry against the backdrop of ever-shifting environmental factors, such as water availability and running an agricultural enterprise.
Known for his work with the Navajo wedge weave technique, Aspaas practices a process he calls “sheep to loom,” which entails gathering and spinning wool from the small flock of Navajo-Churro sheep he raises in Shiprock, New Mexico. In addition to spinning his own yarn, Aspaas works exclusively with natural dyes, noting that “producing textiles in the manner that [his] ancestors have done honors not only [his] relatives from the past, but also the land and animals."
The event will include a screening and remarks by the artist and filmmaker.
Light refreshments will be served in the Center's reception room starting at 5 p.m.
Support for this event is provided by Diné College's School of Arts & Sciences and the Mellon Foundation.
Questions about the film project can be directed to Kayla Jackson, Mellon Foundation Grant Coordinator, at kcjackson@dinecollege.edu