Navajo Nation President Nygren has approved a series of Art in Public Places (AIPP) agreements that will bring the work of four talented Navajo artists to the Tse’ii’ahi Chapter House, celebrating Diné creativity while enriching a community gathering place with culturally significant artwork.
The agreements, administered through the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs Arts Division in partnership with the Navajo Nation, authorize the acquisition and display of original works by Navajo artists Jay DeGroat, Jonathan Billie, Cory Jameson Joe, and Brinda Lee. The artwork will become part of the chapter facility through New Mexico’s Art in Public Places Program, which dedicates one percent of eligible state-funded capital projects to public art.
“Supporting Navajo artists is an investment in our culture and the stories that define who we are,” said President Nygren. “Displaying their work in our chapter houses celebrates our identity and ensures future generations see the strength and beauty of Navajo creativity.”
The approved artwork represents a variety of artistic mediums that showcase the diversity of Navajo expression. Jay DeGroat will contribute two original drawings, Old Man, a colored pencil work on tracing paper, and Rainbow Dance, a pen-and-ink illustration. Photographer Jonathan Billie will display Dry Windmill, an archival pigment print capturing the beauty and character of the Navajo landscape. Woodworking artist Cory Jameson Joe will display two handcrafted functional art pieces, Horse Clock and Storyteller Clock, while photographer Brinda Lee will contribute two original photographic works, Where’s the Herd? and Sunset. Together, the selected works celebrate the creativity, culture, and artistic excellence of Navajo artists and will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for residents and visitors at the Tse’ii’ahi Chapter House.
The selections were made through the New Mexico Arts Regional Buying Committee in accordance with the Art in Public Places Act. Under the program, artists are required to meet museum-quality standards for framing, installation, and interpretive plaques, helping ensure each piece is preserved and displayed for generations to come.
The Art in Public Places Program is funded through New Mexico Intergovernmental Agreement allocations designated for participating Navajo Nation chapters in New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs administers the program, while the Navajo Nation partners as the owner agency for artwork displayed in chapter facilities.
By approving these agreements, President Nygren reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting Navajo artists, preserving Diné culture, and creating public spaces that inspire pride in Navajo identity. The installation of locally created artwork at Tse’ii’ahi Chapter will provide residents and visitors with a lasting reminder of the talent, creativity, and cultural richness found throughout the Navajo Nation.
