An award winning artist who works in silver and gold, Al Joe is known for his painstaking precision and graceful designs. He often incorporates stone into his pieces, such as lapis, coral or older’ natural turquoise stones from the Lander, Bisbee, Morenci or Indian Mountain mines.
Al was born to Rose Ann and Robert Joe, Sr. in Winslow, Arizona in 1950. He grew up in Dilkon, Arizona, the oldest of nine children. Two of his siblings, Larry Joe and Rita Joe Cordalias, are also jewelers today. While growing up, At. never really planned on becoming an artist. He remembers his first stirrings though, when he was 12 years old during a visit with his parents at the Flagstaff Pow Wow. Some jewelry caught his eye and he became so fascinated with it that he spent his hard-earned allowance on a bracelet. He was exposed to more art in a class at Holbrook High School, where many students were painters, but still never dreamed that his life would go in that direction. When he began attending Northern Arizona University, Al was interested in becoming a history teacher. While there, he took a beginning class in jewelry and discovered there was even much more to art.
A winner of numerous awards from Santa Fe Indian Market, Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial, Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts show and the Navajo Market Place at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Al has also exhibited at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 1994 and 1996. His work can also be fund in the Permanent Collection for Native American Jewelry at the Museum of Man in San Diego.