{"id":24345,"date":"2024-12-18T23:26:33","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T06:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/the-coffee-ship-hosts-an-exhibition-of-fine-native-art-in-shiprock\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:52:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:52:13","slug":"the-coffee-ship-hosts-an-exhibition-of-fine-native-art-in-shiprock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/the-coffee-ship-hosts-an-exhibition-of-fine-native-art-in-shiprock\/","title":{"rendered":"The Coffee Ship hosts an exhibition of fine Native art in Shiprock"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sculptures
Sculptures by Oreland C. Joe are displayed at The Coffee Ship\u2019s \u201cNative Fine Art Show\u201d on Friday, Dec. 13, in Shiprock. Kristian Yazzie\/Tri-City Record<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

A shining open business sign lights a window as cars line the dirt parking lot on a warm winter Friday night at the Coffee Ship in Shiprock.<\/p>\n

Renown Native artists and residents gather inside as baristas fill coffee cups and Dion Hayes and Zakota Shade take turns strumming acoustic guitars and singing various big name renditions.<\/p>\n

Nine-year-old Mary Benally and her mother greet patrons as they enter a space of fine art, exhibiting the works of Perry Shorty, Wes Willie, Bob Lansing, Jonathan Curley, Colina Yazzie and Matthew White.<\/p>\n

The fourth grader and wrestler for the Shiprock Wrestling Club was elected to represent Nizhoni Elementary School in September. She was inspired by her older sister, a princess, and her father, a Shiprock police officer. She wants to be a canine police officer when she grows up.<\/p>\n

\"Fourth
Fourth grader and Nizhoni Elementary Princess Mary Benally stands next to her hygiene drive donation box at the entrance of The Coffee Ship at the Fine Native Art Exhibition Show on Friday, Dec. 13, in Shiprock. Kristian Yazzie\/Tri-City Record<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Benally said she was at the art show and drive to ask for donations of shampoo, deodorant and other hygiene products for the community\u2019s most vulnerable people. Benally\u2019s mother said the caf\u00e9 owners invited the Nizhoni Princess to help her collect<\/a> products for the local women\u2019s shelter.<\/p>\n

Trudy Tso, marketing representative for The Coffee Ship<\/a>, revealed that the unlikely response from patrons visiting the caf\u00e9 for the first time is surprise and suspicion of who owns the business.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, I got the question, is it white people that own the place?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The ambience and ownership of the caf\u00e9 may suggest a non-Native influence, which can raise concerns among Indigenous residents, and Laurel White, a Navajo owner, said she hears that hesitancy daily from patrons.<\/p>\n

Mindful of historical and cultural sensitivities, they foster positive relationships in the community, engaging with leaders, supporting local initiatives and showcasing inclusiveness and diversity in their business practices.<\/p>\n

The business opened in August during the Northern Navajo Nation Fair. They chose the name after a suggestion from employee Gilbert Begay.<\/p>\n

The owners attribute the use of the Shiprock landmark for their logo design to another employee and Black Street Apparrel, which designed the jersey for the Netflix film \u201cRez Ball,\u201d did the rest.<\/p>\n

Tso said the owner gathered artists to fill the exhibition. \u201cMatthew White, he\u2019s the one that put all the artists together, which is unheard-of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s crazy having all these artists here, like Oreland Joe Sr.,\u201d she said. \u201cHe made the sculptures at the entrance.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also made the life-size sculptures inside the Northern Navajo Medical Center.<\/p>\n

\"Native
Native artist Oreland C. Joe stands in front of his work on display at The Coffee Ship\u2019s Fine Native Art Exhibition Show on Dec. 13 in Shiprock. Kristian Yazzie\/Tri-City Record<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
From coloring books to chiseling Italian marble<\/div>\n

Oreland C. Joe\u2019s journey from humble beginnings to artistic success is a testament to the power of dedication and passion.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s early exposure to a coloring book from his mother sparked his interest, and his father\u2019s influence and encouragement helped shape his artistic endeavors, instilling in him a love and drive for painting.<\/p>\n

As Joe attended Shiprock High School, he focused on honing his skills, avoiding distractions and dedicating himself to his craft.<\/p>\n

Guidance from his junior high and high school art teachers further fueled his passion for art, introducing him to new media such as stone and leading him to formal training in Italy in 1984.<\/p>\n

His success in selling paintings at a young age showed him he could make a living from his art and motivated him to pursue his passion with fervor, while advocating for Native American artists, entrepreneurs and business owners. His collaboration with the owners of The Coffee Ship, Matthew and Laurel White, showcases a shared vision of promoting and showcasing Native American art and talent.<\/p>\n

He also shared that he is working on an as-yet unpublicized project in Durango.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m working on a 30-by-16-foot mural in Durango, right now at the new Three River Springs Surgical Center. It hasn\u2019t opened. My son and a couple of other painters are on our fifth day there. Nobody knows about it. They\u2019ll have an opening reception probably mid-March or something,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my latest project,\u201d he said pointing at the framed painting leaning against the male sculpture. \u201cSo you go from that size to 30-foot; you know, that\u2019s a humongous effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Coffee Ship\u2019s mission<\/div>\n

The Coffee Ship, owned by Matthew and Laurel White, has become a community hub, bridging a gap between creators and consumers. The Whites have created a space where Native artists can showcase their art and share a way of life, culture and history.<\/p>\n

The caf\u00e9\u2019s beginnings during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 came as blessing in disguise. As owners of Shiprock Windows and Glass LLC, the Whites were able to pivot and provide essential protective barriers to reservation businesses and entities in need. The experience shaped their perspective on community involvement.<\/p>\n

Though The Coffee Ship operates as a caf\u00e9 and coffee shop, the Whites have incorporated traditional staples such as blue corn mush and alkaan (Navajo cake), setting it apart from corporate shops and sharing their cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think having the coffee shop here kind of brings everyone together to enjoy each other\u2019s company,\u201d Laurel White said. \u201cThat\u2019s something I really want to do for the people; you know a lot of times the reservation doesn\u2019t have anything like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matthew and Laurel White\u2019s dedication to their community goes beyond food and drink. They are actively involved in supporting local schools, providing Wi-Fi to students and hosting community organizations and business meetings. They hope to open a fine arts gallery for Native work to showcase and support local talent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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