Elmer Satala, Jr. is a member of the Hopi Tribe and the Bear Clan from the village of Songoopavi.  He learned silversmithing and artistic design from his maternal uncles, Watson Honanie and Delbridge Honanie and attended classes offered by the Hopi Artists' Guild "because I wanted to learn how to work with silver."  He learned his most valuable techniques during his time of apprenticeship with Watson. "I watched Watson with his work and that inspired me."  That inspiration taught Elmer to take pride in his work, be patient in designing, cutting and forming each piece with care and to allow his skill and creativity to show throught his work.

Pictured here in Santa Fe, NM 2023