Navajo Rug Auction Set

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — The hand-loomed and hand-spun rugs of award-winning Navajo weavers will be exhibited and auctioned Oct. 9-11 at Moqui Lodge near the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

The fifth annual Fred Harvey Rug Auction will also include a display of oil paintings and signed and numbered prints by Navajo artists James King and Marvin Toddy and the pastels, oils and watercolors of Thomas Ratz.

As many as 700 contemporary rugs will be auctioned. They include classic and popular patterns; vegetable-dye creations from the areas of Crystal, Wide Ruins and Burntwater, and the bright colors of commercially spun and dyed wool yarn from Teec Nos Pos on the Navajo Reservation.

Blue-ribbon winners from the Gallup Ceremonial, a showcase for Indian artistry, are among the weavers. They are Mary E. Lee, Susie Bia, Nanbah Harrison, Carol James, Charlotte Yazzie, Kee Y. Bia, Jackson Dean, Alice Begay, Mae B. Nez, Lillie Tsosie, Stella Chischilly, Ason Yellowhair, Gladys Taliman, Irene Bia, Shirley John, Rosiebelle Wilson, Clara Sherman, Betty Clyde, Rita Joe, Maggie Bia and Elizabeth Endeschee.

A rug preview and display starts the weekend event Oct. 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. Auction hours will be Oct. 9 from 7 to 10 p.m., Oct. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Moqui Lodge room rates begin at $44 (single or double). The 135-room lodge has a dining room, lounge, tennis courts, horseback riding and van service to and from Grand Canyon Airport. Information: (602) 638-2424.