Jeannette McElroy pictured with the restored Kachina doll
Kathy Stauffer
A recent trip for groceries sent our April carver of the month on an interesting adventure. Jeannette McElroy was wearing a woodcarving shirt, which sparked a conversation with one of the employees. A story came out of a Kachina doll carving that was in a sorry state. The woman had been gifted the Kachina and wanted it to be repaired. Jeannette brought the carving into the carving room and started the cleanup and restoration. Over a couple of weeks she replaced fur and feathers, repaired broken wood, matched paint, and made a new base. Everyone got involved with suggestions and also researching the original artist. It was signed by Henry Sloan, a Hopi artist, who was active in the 1970s. There was not much information about him online but we found a couple of other Kachinas he carved. Jeannette was able to bring his carving back very close to original glory.
Jeannette is a well–known carver in the community. She started carving in 2004 and has taught classes, served on the board, and basically looks after everyone in the carving room. Examples of her work will be on display in the glass cases outside the Quail Room in the Creative Arts Center.