Tribe: Navajo

     Shane R. Hendren is a Master Metal Smith and Artist who has spent his life working at improving his craft. For the past twenty years his principal focus has been on jewelry rooted in his Navajo heritage, incorporating traditional iconography and symbolism while employing advanced metals techniques such as Mokume Gane and Engraving. 

     His work can be found in public and private collections around the globe as well as being featured in magazines and books. His hard work and dedication to his craft has been recognized by awards from all the major art markets with the greatest recognition to date being the 2007 Artist of the Year, awarded by the Indian Arts and Crafts Association. He was also awarded the 2014 Artist of the Year for the Indian Arts and Crafts Association.

     Buttressing his traditional rearing is formal training, having received an Associates Degree from IAIA in Museum Management and a BFA from the University of New Mexico. Shane’s dedication to the arts extends to service of the industry by first serving on the Advisory Board of AtlAtl and currently serving on the boards of IACA and IACA EF, currently the Ex Officio of both boards. He was recognized in 2010 on the floor of the NM House of Representatives for his outstanding service to the arts.