Kenneth Aguilar

Born at Santa Domingo Pueblo in 1951, Kenneth Aguilar began making jewelry at the early age of ten. Walking five miles through the arid lands of Santa Domingo, Kenneth would help his mother carry pottery and shanks of beads to San Felipe Pueblo to sell to traders. As a child, Kenneth would wrap rubber tire tubing around his hands to protect them while dragging materials across a stone face to form beads. Later, a hand-cranked wheel took the place of the stone, but the beads were still hand-drilled.

Kenneth attended the American Indian Arts Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work reflects a pride craftsmanship with the consistency of shape, taper, spacers and a brilliant finish to his beads. Materials range from turquoise, spiny oyster shell, coral and lapis to silver accents.

Kenneth still works in his home studio along with his spouse Angie Aguilar. He is the grandfather to seven children. He is very community minded and active in the tribal government.

Permanent collections

Heard Museum, Phoenix AZ
Buffalo Bill Museum, Cody WY
Wheelwright Museum of American Indian, Santa Fe NM
Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos NM

Shows

SWAIA Indian Market, Santa Fe NM
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Annual Arts and Crafts Show,
     San Juan Pueblo
Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, Phoenix AZ