DON SUPPLEE

About this artist

Hopi artist Don Supplee, a member of the Bear Clan, was born in 1965 in Ganado, Arizona, and raised in Flagstaff near the Hopi Reservation. The son of two teachers, he was encouraged from a young age to follow his passions—an early path that led him to a successful career as a chef. His artistic journey took a new turn when he began observing the work of his older brother, Charles Supplee, an acclaimed silversmith. For three years, Don apprenticed alongside Charles, mastering techniques such as metal fabrication, intricate inlay, tufa casting, and the lost wax process.

Developing his own signature style, Don combines three-dimensional carving with an elegant mix of materials—often pairing traditional turquoise and coral with diamonds set in 14K gold. Inspired by his love of nature and deep connection to Hopi heritage, his designs reflect a harmonious balance of symbolism, symmetry, and tradition.

Supplee’s artistry has earned national recognition. His work has been featured in Arizona Highways and in Art of the Hopi by Jerry and Lois Jacka, and it resides in the National Collection in Washington, D.C. He has garnered numerous awards at the Annual Intertribal Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico, and has participated in prestigious exhibitions, including Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation (American Craft Museum, New York City, 2002) and Jewels of the Southwest (Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, 2002).

Don has also been honored as a featured artist at the Gilcrease Museum (Oklahoma), Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Wyoming), Eiteljorg Museum (Indiana), and the Indian Craft Shop at the Department of the Interior (Washington, D.C.), solidifying his reputation as one of the Southwest’s most accomplished Native jewelers.