Phoenix has a luminous date to save. The Heard Museum has announced Simply Beautiful: Perry Shorty and the Art of Navajo Silversmithing, opening January 29, 2027 — the first major museum retrospective dedicated to acclaimed Navajo silversmith Perry Shorty (Navajo, born 1964). Happy City News is sharing the news early so art lovers can plan a winter visit to one of the city’s most beloved museums.
The exhibition celebrates more than three decades of Shorty’s jewelry and other works in silver, examining how he has reinterpreted historical Navajo traditions through technical mastery and a clear artistic vision. Renowned for his exceptional craftsmanship and frequent use of coin silver, Shorty creates pieces distinguished by clean lines, precise stamping and filing, and intricate appliqués of hand-twisted wire.
Often described as “old style” or “revival style,” his work honors traditional forms while expressing a contemporary vision that has earned widespread recognition. Among the featured works previewed by the museum are bracelets from the 2000s in turquoise and silver and a necklace from 2020 in coin silver — pieces that invite a close, unhurried look at every stamped detail.
The Heard Museum is at 2301 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix, open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the September-to-May season. Mark January 29 and enjoy a celebration of skill, heritage and beauty made by hand.
Photo: Heard Museum
