MEET THE MAKER
A closer look at the Makers behind the brands we carry. A look into the stories that shaped them. Rooted in community, people, heritage and traditions.
AVIS CHARLEY
Spirit Lake Dakota / Diné
Avis Charley was born and raised in Los Angeles, California (Long Beach) and attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, earning her BFA in 2018 and MFA in Studio Arts in 2025. Avis began her practice with ledger art, bringing a Native woman's perspective into a form historically shaped by men. She later transitioned to oil paintings, centering women to examine movement, memory, and Indigenous life from ancestral homelands to the present day. Her work traces how women adapt, protect, and carry knowledge across place and generations.
THEO TSO
Las Vegas Paiute Tribe / Diné
Theo Tso is the creative mind behind Captain Paiute: Indigenous Defender of the Southwest. As a youth, he was drawn toward comic book heroes and villains, yet noticed the absence of strong Indigenous characters, realizing that most Native Americans were sidekicks or stereotypical mystics. In response to the lack of representation in comic books, cartoons, and movies, Theo envisioned Captain Paiute while in high school. Today, Theo is owner and operator of War Paint Studios, which houses Captain Paiute Comics.
BRIAN MARTINEZ
Born in Anaheim, California, Brian Martinez moved to Las Vegas when he was 6 years old. In middle school, Brian was introduced to the growing street art scene, which inspired his venture into the visual arts. He attended Las Vegas High School and worked as a gallery assistant at the Joseph Watson Collection. Brian graduated from the College of Southern Nevada and earned his BFA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Now he teaches fine art at UNLV while pursuing a career in painting, screenprinting, and sculpture. He weaves elements from his culture in his work, including the lucha libre mask. For Brian, the mask is “a potent emblem of concealment and revelation, and serves as a metaphor for my introspective gaze into the complexities of my own culture.”
SOL MARTINEZ
Las Vegas Paiute Tribe
Sol Martinez is a multidisciplinary artist with an area of focus in printmaking. She is a UNLV School of Music Alumni and is currently seeking a BFA in Studio Arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her performing arts skills shine in the cultural arts when she Jingle Dances in Pow Wow circles. She regularly gives land acknowledgements and performs at other events that promote healing through the arts
MALINALLI PRODUCTIONS
Malinalli Productions is a dynamic arts company founded by local Las Vegas artists Juan Cuevas and Xochil Xitlalli. Their creative work is proudly rooted in their Indigenous heritage, culture, and language. Their mission is to create culturally relevant art and educational materials at affordable prices for the people. Juan and Xochil often make sustainable art by repurposing materials (wood, paints, etc.) and producing prints with environmentally friendly inks. Malinalli Productions organizes popular community events, like Indigemart – a local marketplace that helps other artisans grow their small businesses. Juan and Xochil also host a number of art workshops with community partners, often with a focus on cultural revitalization.