The Heard Museum invites you to October 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Above: Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), brooch, 1990s, Heard Museum Collection. Gift of the Estate of James Widener Ray, 4463-3.
Cover: Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), necklace with pendant, 1990s, Heard Museum Collection. Gift of the Estate of James Widener Ray, 4463-2.
HONOREES
Sharron Lewis
Jesse Monongye (1952 – 2024)
CHAIR
Matthew Boland
EVENING EVENTS
Cocktail reception
One-night-only exhibition
Silent auction of jewelry
Dinner & honoree celebration
Live music & dancing
Denim and Diamonds attire • Valet provided heard.org/moondance • giving@heard.org • 602.251.0245
OPAL MOONS and LAPIS SKIES
A one-night-only exhibition!
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), bear pendant, c. 1990, Heard Museum Collection. Gift of Andrea and Robert Morrison, 4908-1.
A Visionary Remembered
For one night only, Opal Moons and Lapis Skies will transform the Heard Museum’s Kitchell Gallery into a luminous tribute to Jesse Monongye (1952 – 2024), the beloved Navajo/Hopi lapidary artist. This exclusive exhibition will feature works by the artist from the Heard’s collection alongside rarely seen masterworks from private collections. Monongye’s celestial inlays, intricate lapidary work and iconic use of opal, lapis and turquoise will dazzle in this oncein-a-lifetime experience – only at Moondance!
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), necklace with bear pendant, 2000. Private collection.
CHAIR
Matthew Boland
COMMITTEE
Rebecca Ailes-Fine
Milena & Tony Astorga
Nadine Mathis Basha
Arlene Ben-Horin
Jeri & Michael Ben-Horin
Joy & Howard Berlin
Tara & John Coggins
Libby & Joel Cohen
Erika & Russell Dickey
Marilyn W. Harris
Lisa Shover Kackley & Jerry Kackley
Sharron Lewis
Kristen Lund
Mary Ellen McKee
Beth McRae
Jean & Jim Meenaghan
Janet & John Melamed
Harry Papp
Jill & Wick Pilcher
Merle & Steve Rosskam
Carol & Randy Schilling
Zang Toi
Margo & Frank Walter
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), necklace with bear pendant, 1990s. Private collection.
Acclaimed jeweler Jesse Monongye was known for the technical excellence and beauty of the intricate inlay jewelry he created. Jesse’s jewelry depictions of the night sky were breathtaking. Lapis lazuli skies held big opal harvest moons, comets in multi-colored stones flashed across the heavens and yucca grew below.
Jesse was featured in the pivotal April 1979 issue of Arizona Highways on contemporary Indian jewelry. His awards included Best of
Artist Honoree Jesse Monongye (1952
– 2024)
Show at the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Arts and Crafts Show in Gallup in 1978 and again in 1991, Best of Division at Santa Fe Market in 1992 and 1994, and Best of Show at the 40th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market in 1998.
In 2002, Lois Sherr Dubin’s biography, Jesse Monongya: Opal Bears and Lapis Skies, chronicled Jesse’s career and captured the intricacy of his fine inlay and the diversity of his designs. In 2010, the Heard Museum held a one-person exhibition of Jesse’s work, and he was featured in the PBS series Craft in America in 2021. Each piece of jewelry that Jesse created serves as a lasting testament to his creativity and talent.
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), necklace with bear pendant, 1990s. Private collection.
Sharron Lewis is deeply devoted to the arts and cultural leadership. Believing in the power of the arts to heal and connect, she has dedicated decades to uplifting institutions that reflect her values. She has served on the boards of the Heard Museum, Honor Health, Phoenix Art Museum and Ballet Arizona.
Honoree Sharron Lewis
A lifelong learner, Sharron attended high school in Creston and Grand Forks, British Columbia, and later earned both her B.A. and M.B.A. from Arizona State University. Her educational path laid the foundation for a life rooted in thoughtful engagement, generosity and forward-thinking leadership.
Today, Sharron is especially devoted to the Heard Museum and its mission of preserving and celebrating Native art and culture. Through her involvement, she is passionately dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists and to building bridges between past and future, tradition and innovation.
“My grandmother taught me respect for the environment and the old Navajo way of discipline and about the Beautyway. She said that all Creation begins at the center from within.”
Jesse Monongye
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), bolo tie, 1990s, Heard Museum Collection. Bequest of Kaaren Parker Gray, 4920-2.
SPONSORS
PRESENTING
Matthew Boland & Christopher Greulich
Sharron Lewis
SIGNATURE
Joy & Howard Berlin
Rebecca Ailes-Fine & Peter Fine
Charlene Berge-Blum
Lisa & Greg Boyce
Carla & Adrian Cohen
SUPPORTING
Nadine Mathis Basha
Jacquie & Bennett Dorrance
Susan & Carter Emerson and Nancy Hanley Eriksson & Ron Eriksson
Dr. Thomas V. McClammy
Mary Ellen McKee
Rob Walton & Jordan Rose and Rose Law Group
Lisa Shover Kackley & Jerry Kackley
George & Kristen Lund
Jan & Tom Lewis
Chip & Daryl Weil
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), bracelet, 1977–1979. Private collection.
PREMIER TABLE
Arlene Ben-Horin
Jeri & Michael Ben-Horin
Mrs. Sharon & Dr. Craig Cohen
DLR Group and Okland Construction
Judith Dworkin & David Pijawka and Sachs Tierney
Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
Kathleen & John Graham
Bill & Kathy Howard
Mary & Tom Hudak
Donna & Steve Johnson
Karen & Donald Abraham
PATRONS
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Janet & Richard Bottarini
Jennifer & Jeff Cannon
Fred & Ann Lynn
Carol Ann & Harvey Mackay
Jean & Jim Meenaghan
Janet & John Melamed
Rose & Harry Papp
Kristine & Leland Peterson
Merle & Steve Rosskam
Snell & Wilmer
Christy Vezolles
Margo & Frank Walter
Virginia Furth Weisman and Sandy Raffealli
Marie & Wayne Mitchell
Samuel J. Parker
Kimberly & Erik Peterson
David & Weezie Reese
Jo Taulbee Flittie
Trudy & Steven Wiesenberger
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), necklace with bear pendant, 1980s. Private collection.
UNDERWRITING
DIAMOND
Virginia Furth Weisman
In honor of her parents Hope & John Furth
Exhibition: Opal Moons and Lapis Skies
Judy Hewson
Cocktail Reception
Papp Family Foundation
Dinner Service
Milena & Tony Astorga
Dessert
Arlene Ben-Horin
Décor & Centerpieces
Jan & Chris Cacheris
Evening Programs
Erika & Russ Dickey
Décor & Centerpieces
OPAL
Merle & Steve Rosskam
Artist Honoree Hospitality and Invitations
Carol & Randy Schilling
Presentation Stage
TURQUOISE
Shari & Bob Levitan
Dance Floor
Elaine & Scott Montgomery
Twinkle Lights
Priscilla & Michael Nicholas
Place Settings
Samuel J. Parker
Cultural Performances
David M. Roche
Artist & Staff Attendance
Bill & Judy Schubert
Gift Takeaways
Carol & Ken Seidberg
Honoree Video
Catherine & Jim Tuton
Honoree Video
Jesse Monongye (Navajo/Hopi), earrings, 1989. Private collection.
Karen & Donald Abraham
Check-In Experience
Rebecca Ailes-Fine & Peter Fine
Staff Hospitality
Libby & Joel Cohen
Beer & Spirits
DLR Group
Bar Service
