Upton Ethelbah Jr., known as Greyshoes, is an acclaimed Native American sculptor celebrated for his captivating work and numerous awards. His accolades include multiple 1st place honors from prestigious events such as the Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market, Autry Museum Masters of the American West, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s Native Treasures Art Market. In 2009, he was honored as a Living Treasure by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe.

Greyshoes began his artistic journey at 54, quickly transitioning from a novice to a full-time artist. His contemporary, stylized sculptures draw deeply from his Santa Clara Pueblo and White Mountain Apache heritage, featuring subjects like Apache crown dancers, Pueblo corn, deer, elk, antelope, buffalo dancers, and “essentialized” Native American medicine bears. His art transcends aesthetic value, becoming cultural ambassadors that tell stories and provoke thought. Explore the journey and impact of this remarkable artist in our latest spotlight.