Three Navajo (Diné) Sand Paintings

Art

Verostko Center for the Arts

Name/Title

Three Navajo (Diné) Sand Paintings

Entry/Object ID

2024.1.40

Collection

Roman Verostko and Alice Wagstaff Legacy Collections

General Notes

Note

In healing ceremonies performed by Native American Medicine Men in the southwest, colored sands flow through the fingers to form traditional designs on a buckskin or cloth—images that are considered living spiritual beings to be treated with great respect. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the sand painting is destroyed. Beginning in the 1950s, Native American artists began creating images related to traditional sand paintings using glue and boards. The Verostkos were inveterate travelers and likely purchased these on a trip to the southwest.

Created By

jeffery.martin@stvincent.edu

Create Date

February 19, 2026

Updated By

jeffery.martin@stvincent.edu

Update Date

February 19, 2026