Kenneth Aguilar

Torn at Santa Domingo Pueblo in 1951, Kenneth Aguilar began making jewelry at the early age of ten. 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.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. 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.

As a child, Kenneth would help his mother carry pottery and shanks of beads to San Felipe Pueblo to sell to traders, walking five miles through the arid lands of Santa Domingo.  Back then, 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 works in much the same way today and is one of the most respected lapidarists in Santo Domingo, a pueblo known for its fine bead and stone work.