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PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER
41st Annual Silver & Turquoise Ball

Phoenix Indian Center’s Silver & Turquoise Ball Returns To Talking Stick Resort

Annual Fundraiser & Silent Auction Set For Friday, Oct. 18, 2024

Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Indian Center’s 41st Annual Silver & Turquoise Ball, will return on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024 to Talking Stick Resort, located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, with the theme “Elevating Indigeneity – Community, Culture & Commerce.”  More announcements will be coming soon!

 

Phoenix Indian Center’s Silver & Turquoise Ball Presented by Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise Sets Fundraising and Attendance Records

Randy Kemp was Honored with the Leon Grant Spirit of Service Award

Phoenix, AZ – Phoenix Indian Center’s 40th Annual Silver & Turquoise Ball, presented by Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise, set records for fundraising and attendance for the second year, raising necessary dollars to support its vital programs and services. The event took place on October 20, 2023, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, with the theme “Celebrating Our Voices.”

“Each year, I am humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support for the Silver & Turquoise Ball benefitting the Phoenix Indian Center,” said Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of Phoenix Indian Center. “From the artisans and businesses who donate to our auction, the patrons who show up year after year to celebrate us, and the team who puts this experience together for our guests, this is truly a community event. And it’s because of these individuals, that the Phoenix Indian Center can continue to provide essential services and programming to the urban Native American population here in Phoenix.”

The Silver & Turquoise Ball featured over 280 silent auction items — including American Indian art, jewelry, gifts, and services from local businesses — valued at over $100,000. Native American painter, printmaker, and award-nominated flute player Randy Kemp (Choctaw/Muscogee-Creek/Euchee) was honored with the Leon Grant Spirit of the Community Award. Guests enjoyed live entertainment and an Indigenous-inspired dinner curated by featured Chef Denella Belin (Diné).

Setting history as the first tribally-owned enterprise, Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise served as the Presenting sponsor. Other noteworthy sponsors for the event include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Foundation for Community Health & Advancement, Desert Diamond Casino West Valley, AZ Central/The Arizona Republic, CKP Insurance, Diamond Sol, JPMorgan Chase & Co., ASU, Boeing, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Cox Communications, Casino Arizona at Talking Stick, Discover, Freeport-McMoRan, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, PENTA Building Group, and SRP. 

To view the press release, click here. 

About Randy Kemp

Renowned painter, printmaker, and award-nominated flute player Randy Kemp (Choctaw/Muscogee-Creek/Euchee) will be honored with the Leon Grant Spirit of the Community Award at the 40th Silver & Turquoise Ball, presented by Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise. The sold-out fundraising event will take place on October 20, 2023, at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, with the theme “Celebrating Our Voices.”

The Leon Grant Spirit of the Community Award was established in 2013 to recognize an individual or organization for their service, commitment, and dedication to the greater good of the American Indian community. It is named for Leon Grant, Phoenix Indian Center’s first executive director and one of its founding members.

“Through his multidisciplinary artistic endeavors, Randy has exemplified the concept of Celebrating Our Voices,” said Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of Phoenix Indian Center. “His artwork has been exhibited around the world; he has produced, lent his voice to, and directed significant events benefitting our Native youth; and has recorded award-nominated music. I can’t think of a more worthy recipient of this award.”

Randy Kemp is a member of the Choctaw, Euchee and Muscogee Creek tribal nations of Oklahoma. He is retired from Arizona State University, where he had more than 30 years of experience as an environmental graphic designer. He is an alumnus of the Katherine K. Herberger College of Arts at Arizona State University, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in painting and printmaking. Randy is a noted artist in the contemporary American Indian art world.

He is a multidisciplinary artist whose body of work includes painting, printmaking, installation, music, and performance. His artwork has been exhibited in prestigious museums, galleries and private collections throughout the world. He was selected to perform a Native American flute music prelude for President Barack Obama at Arizona State University’s graduation ceremony commencement.

Kemp was a founding member of the Mayo Clinic Hospital “Sonata del Sol” music program, providing flute music for palliative care patients and families. As a member of Actor’s Workout Inc., he created a one-man show of the incredible anti-war speech of Chief Joseph (Nez Perce). Kemp has traveled to Australia and New Zealand communities as a part of an Indigenous Cultural and Arts exchange program through Scottsdale Community College.

Other works include music performances and collaborations. Randy has produced an independent recording that was nominated for the Native American Music Award (NAMA) in the “Best Spoken Word” category. Works in film and visual arts include acting credits in the short film, “Chief” filmed on the Salt River Pima Indian Reservation. He has also produced and directed a short film entitled “Metropolitan Rezervation,”—short stories of Native American homeless and survivors, presented in partnership with the PBS television series American Experience/“We Shall Remain,” a citizen storytelling film project.

To view the press release, click here.

Help give back to our community through the online Silver & Turquoise Ball silent auction 

From Oct. 06 to Oct. 20, over 200 unique items, handcrafted by American Indian artists, fashion designers and jewelry makers, will be available for bids. Proceeds raised from this annual fundraiser will directly fund our programs. We would love to have you join us in our cause to support our Center and community! Again, we want to thank you for supporting the Phoenix Indian Center! We also want to thank all of the wonderful artists and community. To register for the auction and to view items, click here. 

About The Event – The Phoenix Indian Center will host the 40th Annual Silver & Turquoise Ball on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 and will be presented by Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise (NACE), one of the oldest enterprises of the Navajo Nation. The signature fundraising event will be held at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix and our theme this year is “Celebrating Our Voices.”

“Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise and Phoenix Indian Center share a common goal of building up and supporting the Native community. Having NACE as our first Native American presenting sponsor demonstrates the growth of Indian Country and how our communities can work together to achieve success.” said Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, CEO of Phoenix Indian Center. “We are thrilled about this new partnership and are grateful for their generous sponsorship of the Silver & Turquoise Ball.”

Each year the Silver & Turquoise Ball raises funds for the Center to provide direct services to customers who face daily challenges that include lack of transportation, food insecurity, lack of childcare and limited access to health care, technology, and the Internet. We hope you can join us in this worthy cause, and this wonderful evening of art, music, food, and entertainment.

Download our press release, click here. 

Individual Tickets – We’re thrilled to announce that all 2023 Silver & Turquoise Ball tickets have been sold. Should you wish to join our waitlist, kindly get in touch with Melanie Mariano at 602-264-6768.

How You Can Support

Art Auction Donation – The event features over 200 quality American Indian art including jewelry, paintings, textiles, pottery, sculptures, garments and more. The event proudly highlights the artists who contribute to this worthwhile cause. Interested in donating? Click here to download the donor form.

Event Co-Chairs

Chairman Robert Miguel

Ak-Chin Indian Community

 

Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

 

 

Auction Co-Chairs

Christy Vezolles

Art Consultant

 

Garrett Etsitty

Artist

Thank you to our 2023 event sponsors!

 

Diamond Presenting Sponsor

 

Ruby Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

       

 

Turquoise Sponsors

                     

 

 Coral Sponsors

 

                                     

The Silver & Turquoise Ball features live and silent auctions highlighting American Indian art, jewelry, and experiences. The 2023 auction was our largest one yet, with over 200 auction items worth over $100,000.  Thank you to all of our 2023 auction donors!

     

Artist Spotlight: Landis Bahe

Artist Spotlight: Danielle SeeWalker

Artist Spotlight: Melissa Lewis-Barnes

Artist Spotlight: Jeremy Red Eagle

Click here to watch the 2021 Silver & Turquoise Ball event.

Thank you to our 2021 auction contributors!

Click here to view our 2021 auction contributors

Click a year to view photos of  Silver & Turquoise Ball events

a 501(c) 3 non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 86-6006566
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