About Me

Katrina Benally is a Diné third-generation silversmith and jewelry designer from Gamerco, New Mexico, just north of Gallup. Raised within a family of highly respected and award-winning artists, she was immersed in silversmithing from an early age. She began learning the craft at nine years old, spending countless afternoons in her father’s shop near the old KGAK radio station in Gallup—an environment that deeply shaped her artistic foundation.
Her earliest responsibilities included washing jewelry between the razor-edging and buffing stages, teaching her precision, patience, and respect for process. Katrina learned under the guidance of her father, Chester Benally, a renowned silversmith, alongside her uncle Ernest Benally, a multi-award-winning jewelry artist. Nearby, uncles Lee and Raymond Yazzie also worked as acclaimed artists. This collective workspace served as an informal studio and classroom where Katrina developed both technical skill and artistic vision.
At 14, Katrina began working professionally as a silversmith in her family’s shop. That same year, she received a ribbon at the Gallup Ceremonial for her first inlaid star pendant, marking an early recognition of her emerging voice as an artist. After high school, she explored higher education and creative expression through hip-hop music before fully committing to silversmithing as her primary artistic path.
Today, Katrina Benally’s work reflects a balance of tradition, personal experience, and contemporary influence. She is also an active DJ, and her multidisciplinary background informs her approach to design and storytelling. As she states, “Overall, I’m an artist.”