Weaver of the Month - Helen Bia - June 2018

Helen Bia started weaving when she was 15 years old, taught by her mother Mary Yazzie Bia and her older sister Lucy B Begay. 

Steve and Helen have worked together for over 40 years now.  When he started the Navajo Churro Collection Helen was one of the very first weavers he turned to.  Her first churro weaving was completed in 1996.  Since that time she has woven over 20 rugs for the Churro Collection - and counting.  Click here to see Helen's available weavings.

Helen has won many awards at the Gallup All Indian Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. Her weavings have been in exhibitions at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg Arizona,  highlighted in the 1974 Arizona Highways Magazine and featured on page 6 and 33 of “The Fine Art of Navajo Weaving”, circa 1984 written by Steve Getzwiller and Ray Manley.

Thank you Helen!  Here's to many more years!

Here is Helen's bio:
Master Weaver: Helen Bia 
Born: December 5, 1945 
CLAN : Tangle Clan :Ta’neeszhni (Mother). Coyote Pass :Ma’iideeshgiizhnii (Father)

Helen writes, "Weaving is very important to me as it keeps me stable, brings me knowledge, wisdom and strength. Though weaving is a lot of work, and I mean a lot of work – I think of my weaving as my baby, so also love. I also enjoy the challenge of making new designs, it keeps me strong. My mother has been a major influence in my life and rug weaving.”


Enjoy a trip through time with Master Weaver Helen Bia, 1985 through today!

1985 - with her Two Grey Hills on the loom

1996 - Helen with her Teec Nos Pos/ Burntwater, Churro # 26, 4' x 6'

1997 - Helen with her Teec Nos Pos/Pictorial, Churro # 88, 4' x 7'

 1998 - Helen with her Teec Nos Pos, Churro # 160, 30" x 47"

1998 - Helen with her Ganado, Churro # 198, 41" x 61"

1999 - Helen with her Burnham Style,  Churro # 270, 30" x 42"



2000 - Helen with her Teec Nos Pos,  Churro # 225, 5' x 8'

2001 Helen with her Teec Nos Pos, Churro # 374, 41.5" x 61"

2002 - Helen with her Two Grey Hill,  Churro # 480,  43" x 63"

2011 - Helen and Steve with her Two Grey Hill, Churro # 1189, 3' x 5'

 
2012 - Helen with her Two Grey Hill,  Churro # 1261, 38.5" x 60"

2013 - Helen with her Two Grey Hill, Churro # 1320, 38" x 60", at Spider Rock

2016  - Helen with her Ganada,  Churro # 1477, 40" x 62"

 2016 - Helen with her Klagetoh/Three Turkey Ruin, Churro # 1512, 48" x 74"

Helen - 2017 with her Two Grey Hill, Churro # 1527,  40" x 61"

 
2017 - Helen with her Two Grey Hill, Churro # 1544, 2'5" x 3'3"

2018 - Helen's current Two Grey Hill rug under construction!  Size will be about 4' x 6'.  

Keep on weaving Helen!

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