BIO

Michael, a Gemologist (GIA), is an enrolled member of the Echota Cherokee, a legislated, State of Alabama recognized Cherokee Band, and is an Artist member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, (IACA). Michael recently placed 3rd in the Metalsmithing Division of the IACA’s 2005 Artist of the Year competition and received 1^st Place, Metal Jewelry Division, at the 2004 San Diego Museum of Man Indian Market. His hand forged sterling silver and 14kt gold jewelry can be viewed in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio and in other Fine Art Galleries across the United States and on the world wide web at: www.southwestaffinity.com and www.tribalmall.com

  

"My jewelry is inspired by the many colors and textures found in the natural world, by the beauty of the mountains and the deserts and by my heritage. Cherokee people were experts with Copper and Silver, along with other materials, long before Columbus sailed toward these shores. I have always been proud of my heritage and jewelry in part is an expression of that pride”. 

 

Michael was a year 2003 member of the Board of Directors of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association and IAEA, the Indian Arts Education Association. He also holds artist membership in ATLATL, a national services organization for Indian Arts and Artists and attends eight to ten Indian Art Markets and Shows a year, mostly in the Western United States including, Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market-Arizona, San Diego Museum of Man Indian Market- California, West Valley Invitational-Litchfield Park-Arizona, IACA’s Spring and Fall Wholesale Indian Art Markets-Arizona/New Mexico and in 2004, Sharlot Hall Museum’s Prescott Indian Market-Arizona.

 

Technical Training 

• Self taught Jeweler
• 5-day workshop with Richard Tsosie on Navajo Inlay work.
• Gemologist Diploma for the Gemological Institute of America, (GIA), which includes certificates in Gemstone Identification, Colored Stones Grading and Diamond Grading. Also certificate in Jewelry sales and Certified Fine Jewelry Consultant, also from the GIA.

Artists Resume

2005 Current-Dreamcatcher Craft Gallery, McMurrphey, Pennsylvania

 

2004 1st place-Metal Jewelry Division - San Diego Museum of Man

 

2004 3rd Place-Jewelry/Metalsmithing Division - IACA Artist of the

            Year Competition      

 

2004 Current- American Trails Gallery - Ashland, Oregon

 

2004 Current -Round Dance Indian Art Gallery – Mammoth Lakes, California

 

2004 Current -Southwest Trading Company – St. Charles, Illinois

 

2004 Current -Caynonlands Indian Art - Estes Park, Colorado

 

2004 Current -Southwest Indian Arts – Enfield, Connecticut

 

2004 Current -Native Treasures – Southborough, Massachusetts

 

2003 Elected to the 2003 Board of Directors of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, IACA

           

2002 Current -Southwest Indian Den, Coronado Island, San Diego, California

 

2001-2002 Northwest Native Designs Gallery, Snohomish, Washington

 

2000 One of 10 Indian Artist selected from across the United States to 

            exhibit in the "Spirit of the Millennium" exhibit, Columbus, Ohio.

 

2000  Featured in the June 2000 issue's "Facets" section of Lapidary

          Journal Magazine

 

1997-2003 Teaching basic/ Silversmithing at K's Tumblecraft, 

                      El Cajon, California

 

1999 Asked to donate a special piece of jewelry to the Benefit and Silent

            Auction for the 30^th Anniversary of the Alcatraz Occupation. Proceeds

            went to secure transportation of Elders to this event, San Francisco,

            California

 

1999 Current -Heartlines Native American Art, Atlanta, Georgia

 

1999 Current -Michael Wigley Galleries, Santa Fe, New Mexico

 

1997-1999 First Jeweler to show at the Eisenhauer Gallery,

                      Block Island, Rhode Island

 

1997 Current -Membership accepted in the Indian Arts and Crafts 

            Association, IACA

 

1996-2000 Only Member Artist to be on permanent display at the Sedona Arts Center Gallery