Body adornment, whether piercing, painting or objects created from every imaginable materialûfeathers, shells, beads, semi-precious and precious stones, wood, bone, metal and natural plants û has existed from prehistoric times to the present. In every culture the act of decorating the body has been, and remains, an important need. Be Dazzled! celebrates Native American traditions of adornment in jewelry from the Southwest and beadwork primarily from the Northern and Southern Plains.

Jewelers Gail Bird (Santo Domingo/Laguna) and Yazzie Johnson (Navajo) along with beadworker Maynard White Owl Lavadour (Cayuse/Nez Perce), examined more than 4,500 works of jewelry and beadwork from the Heard's permanent collection, selecting nearly 250 for inclusion in the Be Dazzled! exhibit. Bird, Johnson and Lavadours determinations in selecting each piece are shared through this beautifully photographed accompanying publication.

Softcover, 80 pages