Today we’d like to introduce you to Loren Aragon.
Loren, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am Native American from the Acoma Pueblo of New Mexico. I lived the first 18 years of my life on the Acoma reservation before pursuing my degree in Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University. I graduated with my degree from ASU in 2004 and worked first in the automotive industry, into military applications, and lastly in virtual simulation training. I had a great passion for technology and being an engineer, but in all my years in education, I always found time to practice my skills in the arts. To the side of my career as an engineer, I started a greeting card company with my wife, Valentina. We formulated ACONAV as a representation of both our cultures, myself being Acoma and Valentina being Navajo. I had greater ambitions to do more in the arts. In time my passion shifted to expanding my talents in the arts. I found my greatest inspiration after seeing the Santa Fe Indian Market for the first time in 2009. I observed how great a progression was being made in the Native arts and I wanted to be a part of that with my own unique creations. I continued in the arts with a greater appreciation, progressing from illustration, to jewelry, to sculpture, and eventually into fashion design. In 2016 I left my career as an engineer to begin a new chapter as a fashion designer under my very own fashion brand, ACONAV.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do? Why? And what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a women’s couture fashion designer and CEO of my brand, ACONAV. ACONAV is Cultural Designs Embodied in Timeless Elegance with the idea to Evoke Empowerment of the female spirit. My designs are culturally fueled by my Acoma Pueblo culture. The Acoma people are best known for our ancestral pottery art. The traditional arts combined with beliefs based on a matrilineal system are the founding inspirations behind my work. In my journey, I’ve formulated designs that capture the meaningful beauty behind our traditional art and empowering beliefs to be expressed through wearable art.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I feel that the conditions for artists have improved much over the years with the introduction of technological tools especially internet and social media. Artists can now reach greater audiences without leaving their studios through social media outlets and websites. Creating audiences through such technologies allows artists to create awareness. Phoenix has done well to create awareness of the diverse art culture with art walks, art festivals, and educational institutes. In my observation the support is present, and the artists need to take advantage of the opportunities granted by a number of institutions, most of which are free to the artist.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is predominately showcased on my website and through social media. Throughout the year my work is presented on various runway showcases across the nation. My annual participation in Native American art markets in New Mexico, Arizona, and California allow me to show and bring my work directly to buyers.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aconav.com
- Phone: 480.329.2112
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @aconav
- Facebook: ACONAV
- Twitter: @aconav_fashion
Image Credit:
Jennifer Hubbell
Daniel Martinez
James Almanza
Loren Aragon
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
