Curtis Pete is a Navajo-Hopi silversmith born in Parker, Arizona. He moved to the Navajo reservation when he was fours years old and was raised by his grandparents. He attended boarding school through his elementary years. His secondary education was locally, at Tuva City High school and then on to Phoenix College. When Curtis was 27 yeas of age when he began learning the techniques of silver-smithing from his uncle, Robert Yellowhair. After branching out on his own, he specialized in traditional designs and styles. Over the years, he has also learned and mastered the working of gold. Pete transforms traditional symbols into distinctive contemporary designs and is considered one of the best traditional silversmiths in the Southwest. He has won several prestigious awards, including First Places at the Gallup Ceremonial Show for one of his necklaces.
