Lloyd Kiva New facts for kids

Lloyd Henri Kiva New (born February 18, 1916 – died February 8, 2002) was a famous Cherokee artist. He was a leader in modern Native American fashion design. He also helped start the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He later became its president.

Early Life and Education

Lloyd Henri New was born in Fairland, Oklahoma. His father was of Scots-Irish background. His mother was full-blooded Cherokee. Lloyd was the youngest of ten children in his family.

He went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There, he earned two degrees in Art Education. After college, he taught painting. He worked at the Phoenix Indian School in Arizona. In 1941, he joined the United States Navy.

A Career in Fashion

After serving in the Navy, New moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. In 1945, he opened his own fashion shop. It was called Kiva. At first, he made leather purses, belts, and hats. By 1948, he started making a full line of clothes.

He worked with other talented Native American artists. These included Manfred Susunkewa and Charles Loloma. His shop became very popular in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1957, Miss Arizona Lynn Freyse wore a Kiva New dress for the Miss America contest. His designs were even sold in big stores like Neiman-Marcus.

Starting an Art School

Lloyd New had a big idea. He wanted to create a "design laboratory." This place would teach young Native American students how to make a living from their art. This idea grew into the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA).

New helped open the school in Santa Fe in 1962. It started as a high school and later became a college. The school got money from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. New was the first art director and later the president. The school aimed to help students feel proud of their Native heritage. It also taught them skills to get good jobs. New taught a class on printed textiles. His future wife, Azalea Thorpe, taught weaving.

Tatiana Lomahaftewa-Singer, an IAIA curator, said that Lloyd New wanted art to be a bigger conversation. He wanted it to be important for both Native Americans and non-Native people. He focused on pure art, not just things made to sell.

Awards and Recognition

New retired from IAIA in 1978. He continued to serve as president emeritus. This means he kept an honorary title. In 1976, the American Craft Council honored him. The city of Santa Fe called him a "Living Treasure" in 1989. He also advised the National Museum of the American Indian. In 2000, the Art Institute of Chicago gave him an honorary doctorate degree.

Later Life

Lloyd Kiva New passed away on February 8, 2002. He died from heart failure. He was 85 years old. He was survived by his wife, Aysen New, and his two children from his first marriage. He also had grandchildren.

Where to See His Work

You can see Lloyd Kiva New's work in different places. Here are some of them:

• Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Norman, Oklahoma
• Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York

His designs have also been shown in special exhibits:

• 1952 – Atlantic City's Second Annual Fashion Show, Atlantic City, New Jersey
• 2016 – Lloyd Kiva New: Art Design and Influence, Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• 2016 – A New Century: The Life and Legacy of Cherokee Artist and Educator Lloyd ‘Kiva’ New, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• 2016 – Finding a Contemporary Voice: the Legacy of Lloyd Kiva New and IAIA, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico