Southwestern Souvenirs

A week of sunny 70 degree plus weather led up to the annual Heard Fair on Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7. Crowds at the Thursday Evening Artwalk in Scottsdale showed that collectors had turned out in full force. The buzz around those in the Indian arts business has been that high end arts continue to do well, while other categories are susceptible to the chill of recession-wary buyers.

I saw some evidence of this at Saturday’s Fair. There were a large number of artists in all areas, and many had brought less pricey goods than in previous years. Despite this, some admirable artists did not seem to be moving their merchandise. On the other hand, a good number of popular artists appeared to be doing a brisk business. Many artists seemed to be working with new styles, and the recession does not seem to have hampered individual creativity.

Inside one of the main tents at the Heard Guild Fair and Indian Market.

I was looking almost wholly at jewelry. Raymond Yazzie had won Best of Show for jewelry for a magnificent ring. I take this as a good omen and indeed, there were lovely rings to be found all over, from Jennifer Medina’s modern silver feather fabrications to Rodney Coriz’s shell and abalone Pueblo cross finger rings. Fine offerings were to be had at the booths of Jimmie Harrison, Orville Tsinnie, Kee Yazzie, and Melanie Kirk-Lente, among others. For avant-garde works, Veronica Poblano and the Gaussoin brothers, David and Wayne, had baubles to delight. Good gold and silver bands were on view at Norbert Peshlakai’s booth.

The week before the Heard Museum Guild Fair and Indian Market sees a slow, inexorable stream of collectors, enthusiasts, and tourists (some of the latter are here for Spring Training) to Phoenix and environs. This means that on the Thursday before the Fair, the weekly Art Walk in Scottsdale becomes the place for Southwestern arts mavens to congregate. As the sun goes down, festive lights break out on Scottsdale’s Main Street and its galleries open up for receptions, special events, and artists, artists, artists. Music spills out over the street, and throngs of people make a slow, determined bee line from one gallery to another. Antique arts can be seen at Turkey Mountain Traders and, around the corner on Goldwater Boulevard, John C. Hill Antique Indian Arts. Hill is particularly known for having some of finest older katsina carvings available outside a museum. Vintage works are on view at the Old Territorial Shop. Contemporary arts are the main feature at River Trading Post, Faust Gallery, and Waddell Trading.

River Trading Post during Scottsdale Artwalk.

We’ll be there as well, amongst all the crowds. Photography for the book I’m working on needs to be done, but we will be visiting our contributors earlier in the week before the press of customers begins. A number of artists whose works will be photographed for the book need to be sought out and consulted at the Heard Guild Fair, too. As a result, we’ll be on hiatus for the first week of March. On our return, we’ll have much to report about the Indian arts events of Arizona. Maybe you should come out there, too?

Follow the signs to Artwalk!