The piece, crafted from hand-dug clay and burnished with a mica slip, represents a rigorous return to ancestral techniques. Lugo admitted the process was fraught with challenges, noting that he nearly abandoned the project before committing his entire summer to perfecting the bowl. His work was judged by a panel of Native American art experts, academics, and fellow artists who convened on August 13 to assess entries against the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts’ longstanding standards.
Following the announcement on Friday, August 14, the winning works are being showcased at the market throughout the weekend. The competition, which has served as a global benchmark for Native art since 1922, recognized excellence across ten distinct classifications, including jewelry, textiles, and sculpture. While Lugo took the top prize, other notable winners included Jack Tom for his sandcast gold jewelry and Marla Allison for her expressive self-portrait painting. The full roster of this year's awardees will be available on the organization’s website by August 17.
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