Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1982, Wayne Nez Gaussoin is the youngest of three sons' of jeweler Connie Tsosie Gaussoin. Following a family tradition, Wayne Nez has been taught silversmithing by his mother and brother, David. In May 2000, Wayne Nez graduated from St. Michael’s High School, and has continued on to college to finish his Associate of Fine Arts at the Santa Fe Community College. He has also taken photography at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Wayne Nez has been accepted to pursue further art related studies at the Art Institute of Chicago. Wayne Nez’s interest in art not only focuses on jewelry; but also includes media such as photography, music, and fashion design.

Wayne Nez’ style is a mix of traditional Native American applications with a contemporary flair. The materials he chooses to work with are mostly silver and gold with various exotic stones and shells. He has also experimented with non-traditional items in a moving progressive sense of design. Wayne Nez’s experience of traveling throughout Western Europe and Ecuador has inclined his artistic thought. Wayne has conducted lectures at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and Wheelwright Museum. He has also shared his art form at the Heard Museum through an Artist-in-Residency program; as well as, teaching tufa casting at Idyllwild School of Arts in Idllywild, CA.

Wayne Nez has participated in many juried art shows and has won several awards at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum, the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos show, and others. Wayne Nez was also selected for the “Collectors Choice Award” for permanent collection at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe NM. He was also chosen for “Metal Works” exhibition, at the Heard Museum North. One thing, amongst many others, Wayne is a Liaison for the Santa Fe Opera Native American Youth Program "Pueblo Opera Program" (POP).  As an active member of POP, he has partaken in a Second Annual fund-raiser Fashion Show. He has also continued his fund-raising efforts for IAIA in a spectacular Fashion Show held at the IAIA Museum Courtyard with other progressive artists.

Wayne Nez continues to show in various juried art shows and pursues’ plans of furthering his interests in Art through school and perhaps even studying abroad.

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Artist in Residence/ Instructing:

  Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona; November 2001
  Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, California; July7-11 2003 & 2004

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