Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967, Washington, D.C.

2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Since the inaugural event in 1967, the Festival has drawn Native American artists and performers from across the United States.  This virtual exhibition, drawing on historic photographs in the collection of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, showcases those Native American artists who participated in the first Festival, which kicks off this year on June 29.  (Click on the "i" for more information on each photograph)

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Tent at the Festival of American Folklife on the National Mall, July 1-4, 1967, Washington, D.C.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Display of Seminole patchwork dolls and crafts from the sales pavillion, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Sara Koyuk (King Island Inupiaq) performs the Seal Hunting Dance, accompanied by (left) Jockim Koyuk and (right) Tom Mayac.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Tom Mayac (King Island Inupiaq) performs the Raven Dance, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Tom Mayac (King Island Inupiaq) performs the Walrus Dance, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Mesquakie singers from Tama, Iowa, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Marie Chino (Acoma Pueblo) coils a new vase, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Mrs. George Tomey (Osage) sewing a ribbonwork panel, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Mrs. Frank Robinson (Osage) with her ribbonwork and other products, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Osage crafts completed by Mrs. Tomey and Mrs. Robinson, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Ambrose Roanhorse (Navajo), silversmith, and Harry Belone (Navajo), sandpainter, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Harry Belone (Navajo) completing a sandpainting, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Ambrose Roanhorse (Navajo) displaying a concho belt, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • 6/21/2017 - Historic IACB Photos Recall Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Silverwork by Ambrose Roanhorse (Navajo), 1967.

    6/21/2017 - Historic IACB Photos Recall Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • 6/21/2017 - Historic IACB Photos Recall Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Garnet Roanhorse (Navajo) at loom weaving, 1967.

    6/21/2017 - Historic IACB Photos Recall Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Debbie Darrow (Apache), Mildred Cleghorn (Apache), and Penny Cleghorn (Apache), 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Display of dolls in authentic tribal costume by Mildred Cleghorn (Apache), 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Victor Coochwytewa (Hopi), silversmith, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Margaret Coochwytewa (Hopi) weaving a basket, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Charlie Mayac (King Island Inupiaq) and Jockim Koyuk (King Island Inupiaq) at work carving, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Carved ivory seal and wood hunting figure by the King Island (Alaska) carvers, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Clifford Lucas (Laguna Pueblo) painting a carved kachina, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Mary Bowers (Seminole) sewing patchwork, 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

  • Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.

    Patchwork dolls and bags created by Mary Bowers (Seminole), 1967.

    Native American Artists Featured at the Smithsonian's First Folklife Festival in 1967.