Elverna Vanwinkle

Elverna Vanwinkle is from Ganado, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. She was taught to weave by her grandmother Nellie Joe and mother Lillian Joe. There are several other fine weavers in Elverna’s family such as her aunts Gloria, Alice and Janice Vanwinkle, and sisters Ruby Watchman, Laverne Vanwinkle, and Elvie Vanwinkle.

Known for her tight, sharp weave and use of finely spun yarn, Elverna specializes in intricate Burntwater designs and richly-colored Blanket Revival designs. Some of Elverna’s Burntwater weavings have utilized more than fifty different colored yarns in a single weaving.