Navajo artist Elmer Yazzie. Photo by Christine Armbruster (2018)

LOS ALAMOS CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Navajo artist Elmer “Charlie Rooster” Yazzie will be the guest speaker at the Los Alamos Church of Christ, 2323 Diamond Drive, on Sunday, May 7 at 9:00 a.m. Sunday School and 10:30 a.m. service. Visitors are welcome.

Yazzie’s unique use of the yucca plant for his brushes has brought opportunities for presentations, lectures, exhibits and seminars. Invited to show and teach in China, Germany, Israel, France, Netherlands, Belize and throughout North America, he is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. His finesse as educator and artist enables the learner to understand his culture as it relates to art. His presentations have been well received at all age levels.

Painting skies and symbolic life themes in a wide variety of sizes are his specialties. He is especially gifted in creating images spontaneously from conversations, verbal presentations or life experiences. Demonstrations of this type transfer inspiration and encouragement to aspiring artists everywhere. Mural work has also strengthened his experience. His murals range in size from a 36 square foot mural in a private home to a 4,000 square foot mural in northeastern Arizona.

Born in Rehoboth, New Mexico in 1954, Elmer is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Boyhood days were spent on the reservation, where he was educated at Shiprock Elementary and Rehoboth Mission School. Later he graduated from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan (‘76).