Coming in September! Moab’s 2nd Annual Navajo Rug Auction.

Imagine that you are enjoying a beautiful fall Saturday surrounded by hand-woven Navajo rugs of every color, pattern and size. You feel the fine wool of the weavings, marvel at the intricate designs: Ganado Red, Two Grey Hills, Burntwater…. You learn about the history of Navajo weaving and talk to the weavers about their art. You gaze out the window now and then at the wild Colorado River, enjoy a tasty Navajo taco and even a glass of wine. Then, you realize you aren’t dreaming – you’re at CNHA’s 2nd Annual Navajo Rug Auction!

On Saturday, September 8th, over 200 Navajo rugs will be presented for auction at Canyonlands by Night, 1861 N. Highway 191, just north of the Colorado River Bridge. Canyonlands Natural History Association (CNHA) presents this one-of-a-kind event in Moab to promote cultural awareness and appreciation of Native American arts.

For those who want to learn about rugs they already own, appraisals will be held from 9 am to noon for a charge of $10 per rug. Auction goers can preview the offerings and ask questions about individual items from 10 am until noon. The auction starts at 1 pm and lasts until all the items have been presented. Weaving demonstrations and cultural interpretation will also be part of the event. Proceeds will benefit the Navajo weavers and scientific research on public lands of the Colorado Plateau.

The auctioneers, R.B. Burnham & Company, have been trading with the native people of the Four Corners area for five generations. The Burnhams are noted for their encouragement of innovation and quality in Navajo textiles. Bruce Burnham and his crew have an encyclopedic knowledge of Navajo weaving history, materials and techniques, as well as an intimate understanding of the artists and their culture. They will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

While you are in town for the auction, you can also enjoy the Moab Music Festival, an award-winning annual event which offers concerts by world-class musicians in stunning red rock venues around Moab each September.

Canyonlands Natural History Association is a non-profit that has supported the parks and public lands of southeastern Utah for forty five years. CNHA’s funding comes from memberships, donations, and sales from our retail outlets in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments, as well as the Moab Information Center (MIC) and federal agency outlets.