Publications
Bird, W. L. In the Arms of Saguaros: Iconography of the Giant Cactus. 1st edition. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2023, pp. 111-115, reference to the development of cactus crafts.
David, Eloise, and Marcia Spark
“Arizona Folk Art Recalls History of Papago Indians.” The Clarion, America’s Folk Art Magazine. Fall 1978, pp. 22-25.
José, Ventura
“I’itoi and Ho’ok’oks.” In Evers, Larry. The South Corner of Time: Hopi, Navajo, Papago, Yaqui Tribal Literature. Tucson, Ariz: Sun Tracks, 1980, pp. 111-121.
Lunsford, Nancy
“Craftsman of the Cactus Desert.” The Desert Magazine. January 1946, pp. 21-24
Monthan, G. & Monthan, D.
Nacimientos : Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans = Weihnachtskrippen von indianischen Kunsthandwerkern des Südwestens = Nacimientos hechos por artistas indios del Suroeste. Flagestaff, Ariz., Northland Press, 1979, p. 57.
Southwest Folklife Alliance Staff
Lifeways, In Wood. Border Lore online journal, Southwest Folklife Alliance. University of Arizona. May 25, 2016. https://borderlore.org/lifeways-in-wood.
Spark, Nicholas
“The Franco Family: a Documentary History of a Papago Artistic Tradition.” Essay, University of Arizona, 1990. Copy on file in ASM Registrar’s Office, Notes on Cataloged Specimens, Franco Folkart.
Newspaper Articles:
Duarte, Carmen. “Sculptor puts Papago Background in Nativity Scene.” Arizona Daily Star, December 23, 1982, 1H-2H.
“Movies Beckon Herb Wood.” Tucson Daily Citizen, July 17, 1952, p. 10
Severson, Ed
“Sculptor Preserves Tribal Tradition.” Arizona Daily Star, November 18, 1993, p. 1C
Interviews/Field notes
Bernice Johnson notes on meeting with Chepa Franco, January 22, 1967. ASM Accession file #1123.
Diane Dittemore’s notes from meeting with Franco family, April 2, 2025. Copy on file in ASM Registrar’s Office, Notes on Cataloged Specimens: Franco Folkart.
Transcript from Nicholas and Marcia Spark’s interview with Thomas Franco, 1987. Copy on file in ASM Registrar’s Office, Notes on Cataloged Specimens: Franco Folkart.
Transcript from Nicholas Spark’s interview with Mark Bahti, conducted April 22, 1990. Copy on file in ASM Registrar’s Office, Notes on Cataloged Specimens, Franco Folkart.
Acknowledgements
Deep thanks are extended to the Franco family members who met with the author in April of 2025: Ignacio (Nacho) J. Franko, Sr., Valerie Franco, Thelma Havier, Jarvis Juan, and Geena Ramon.
Dr. Reuben Naranjo (Tohono O’odham) facilitated the initial contact with the Franco family. His assistance was invaluable.
Marcia Spark and her son Nicholas Spark generously shared notes and photographs related to their research into the Franco family’s cactus carvings. Copies of these resources are on file in the ASM Registrar’s Office. Marcia and her husband Dr. Ron Spark gave permission for the inclusion of Thomas Franco’s fry bread diorama from their collection.
ASM’s collection of Franco folk art came through purchases funded by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society, and gifts from Edna Smith (2002), Dr. Stephen Strom (2017), and Diane Wu David (2020). Such support though the decades is most appreciated, allowing us to share the story of the Franco folk art legacy with the world.
Thanks to ASM Photographic Collections Manager Jannelle Weakly and ASM Photographer Grey Garduno for providing the images. Ethnology Collections volunteer Gail Gibbons ably served as a research assistant for this exhibit.