The major Indian arts shows in the Southwest have been around since the 1920s. Most of these venues have juried art competitions where Native artists can win awards — designated by Blue Ribbons — for the best work. Artists agree that winning ribbons can help elevate a career and attract sales and collectors. Many of these same people also admit that prizes can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they bring valuable attention to the artist’s work. On the other hand, they create jealousy, arouse discontent, and place undue pressure on the competitor. One artist, a veteran of more than thirty years, confided to me one time that he was glad he won so many ribbons when starting out but now finds them superfluous. He feels the true reward comes from the buyer.
Over the years, we’ve watched various episodes in the running of the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise. The central store is in Window Rock, but there are others in Cameron, Kayenta, and Chinle. Meant as a tribal cooperative selling fine jewelry and collectibles, we’ve found the inventory to be uneven at times. Our last visit to the Kayenta store a few years ago showed it to be mostly selling clothing. The Window Rock store may be the place to go for jewelry. A long time ago, I was able to buy a heavy-gauge Kokopelli pendant by Tommy Singer for a reasonable price; it has grown in value over the years, making it a truly satisfactory collectible. Best of all, it turns heads whenever I wear it! Some friends of mine, all fussy types, swear by the online store. Try to shop online GoNavajo.com.
This rich blue stone is so much more than the official gemstone of New Mexico and the designated stone for those born in the month of December. Turquoise has been part of the American Southwest and its peoples for more than 2000 years. Those who prize turquoise as a collectible, and love it in their Native-made jewelry, realize soon that they need to know more about this stone than the fact that it’s composed from the hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum.
Not all turquoise is usable: it needs to be sturdy enough to take cutting and polishing. Mines of origin, color, and matrix determine value. Yet natural turquoise, a large part of what determines price for a piece of jewelry with such material, means that this stone hasn’t been treated. Unfortunately, most turquoise today requires some sort of treatment.
At this point, the collector requires some education. Dealers and suppliers are a source for information, but self-education is essential, too. Here the IACA offers some help, with their useful pamphlets. They, too, in turn look to experts, such as those who run the Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque. Located virtually a hop, skip and jump away from the Old Town Plaza, every would-be Indian arts enthusiast should make a pilgrimage there.
By the way, IACA recently announced the award-winning artists from their Spring show. See Liz Rose’s article for details.
Some of the most popular arts made and displayed at the 2011 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market were made by Native artists from tribes outside the Southwest. This has been a growing trend on the part of the Market’s organizers, allowing other Native traditions and innovations to be showcased.
The most recent issue of The Indian Trader claims that the best works on display might make this the “year of the basket.” Practicality and beauty mark the best contemporary creations. For flawless craftsmanship, pieces by Jeremy Frey [Best of Show] (Passamaquoddy), Gianna Rose Willard (Haida), and Kathleen Thomas (Oneida) demonstrated how remarkable materials and artistic vision make baskets come alive. Those more interested in Southwestern Native achievement should take note of Sally Black’s work; she hails from a family known for their Diné revival styles.
During the Scottsdale Art Walk before the Heard Guild Fair, I learned about a new initiative. Some members of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA) had set up a table to advertise, among other things, that the IACA has created a Collector’s Guild that permits members to attend the bi-annual IACA wholesale shows’ Collector’s Market. After some questioning, I learned that this Market was added onto the two Collector’s Markets, as a means of allowing collectors to view and purchase arts made by IACA members. (Up until now, these shows — which are usually held in Albuquerque and Mesa — had been restricted to wholesalers only.) Proceeds from this new Collector’s Guild will aid the IACA Artist of the Year program.
I have always been tantalized by the arts shown in ads for the IACA wholesale shows; now, there seems to be an opportunity to buy directly from the artists while perusing the latest trends. Check this out at the IACA website; individual membership is $50 annually. It looks as though longtime collectors like me have two new Indian arts show opportunities…
As we left this year’s Heard Guild Fair that Saturday, tired but triumphant in our purchases, we saw a sign in a building across the street, on our way to the parking lot. The sign advertised a small sale and raffle for the Hopi Education Endowment Fund. I ended up buying a fabulous ring by college student Waddie Crazyhorse, son of Cippy Crazyhorse, a favorite jeweler of mine.
Since I teach college students, this purchase seemed most propitious. The fund helps Hopi kids meet college tuition expenses. A special focus for the fund is aiding technical/vocational training programs and curriculum development. Hopi is home to many of the greatest American Indian artists, including the late Charles Loloma. Find out more about this endeavor at www.hopieducationfund.org.
When I was a child, they were known as the Papago Indians of southern Arizona. The Tohono O’odham were among the first of a growing number of tribes to revert to their original name. Those who visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission church south of Tucson get to see some evidence of their brilliant craft work. The Tohono O’odham Basketweavers Organization is a non-profit collective of talent. They work to ensure that their weavers receive a fair price for their works, and encourage the younger generation to learn and retain skills passed on from generation to generation. You can contact them through the Tohono O’odham Community Action website, or at: Tohono O’odham Community Action, P.O. Box 1790, Sells, AZ, 85634. (520) 383-4966.
Tom Bahti was an Indian trader in the mid-twentieth century who also wrote about his vocation. His son, Mark, has continued the tradition. He ran his gallery for many years solely in Tucson, before expanding to a second shop in Santa Fe.
We visited the Santa Fe store briefly during Indian Market this year and found it packed to the rafters. We couldn’t get any closer, but this shop carries a large selection of Indian jewelry. The selection is smaller at the Tucson gallery, but offers selections from a solid range of contemporary talent, including Navajo, Zuni, and Santo Domingo artists. There was a small case of superb vintage jewelry pieces. An equally small but good assortment of fetish carvings, katsinas, baskets and pottery are available.
When we were at the Tucson store, some remodeling was happening that will culminate in a gallery that offers fine arts. We saw an installation in progress of abstract-looking paintings by a Native artist.
Shop at Bahti Indian Arts if you want to be assured of good quality arts with impeccable pedigrees.
Camel Rock near Tesuque Pueblo in New Mexico, has seen a lot of comings and goings. The busy road that passes by this natural rock formation conveys people north to Espanola and Taos. Recently, however, most of the buzz has been about the Buffalo Thunder Resort. This new destination adds more spice to a well-worn thoroughfare.
High-quality Navajo weavings are much prized as interior decoration. While some are used as rugs or throws in a room, the trend is to mount them on walls with tapestry hangers.
