Lavena Tom Benally
Red House Clan, born for Mud Clan
Date of Birth: February 1976
Resides in the Teec Nos Pos area of the Navajo Reservation
(Teec Nos Pos, AZ)
Red House Clan, born for Mud Clan
Date of Birth: February 1976
Resides in the Teec Nos Pos area of the Navajo Reservation
(Teec Nos Pos, AZ)
Lavena originally learned to weave from her mother Nellie Tom, however her maternal grandmother, Alice Thomas, and paternal grandmother, Mary Poyer also influence LavenaÕs work. Lavena comes from a large and interrelated family of Teec Nos Pos weavers, and she and her relatives do some of the most artistic work. LavenaÕs sisters, Maritta Clyde, Bertha Frank, Irene Hollie, and Rosena Tom are also top-notch weavers. In addition, her sisters-in-law Laura and Cora Tom, and first cousins Sarah, Cecelia and Celena George, are also fine Teec weavers. Lavena consistently weaves straight, tight pieces in the Teec Nos Pos style, featuring richly colored commercially dyed wool with complicated abstract designs. She will work in larger formats, up to 5' X 7', and is known for striking color combinations. Lavena is married to Max Benally, and as yet they have no children.