Tribal Artery

Institute of American Indian Arts Receives $7.65 Million

2008-07-24T11:58:00.007-04:00

Department of Education Awards Funding to Improve, Expand Facilities

Santa Fe, NM – The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) has announced $7.65 million in grants from the Department of Education to expand campus facilities. The award comes from the Department of Education’s Title III program that provides funding to “improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.”

A $1.65 million grant will support the construction of IAIA’s Foundry and Sculpture Center, a facility that will house the three-dimensional art program of IAIA’s Studio Arts degree. The new building will enable students to study woodworking, welding, forging, casting, ceramics and large scale metal, stone and glass sculpture.

IAIA’s new Science and Technology Building will be supported by a $3 million per year, two-year grant. This building will house a New Media Arts Center with advanced digital technologies and a multi-media presentation theater (to enhance the instruction capabilities of the New Media Arts degree program), a Museum Conservation Center to house IAIA’s National Collection of Contemporary Native American art, along with conservation teaching laboratories to provide students with hands-on training in collections care and conservation, and a Science Center that will contain laboratories and flexible instructional spaces to better deliver the science portion of the general education requirements of IAIA’s degree programs.

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Brought to you by Susanne and William Ernest Waites, proprietors of Aboriginals: Art of th First Person, a tribal art gallery with four web presences based on the special interests of tribal art collectors - Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink, TribalWorks and ZuniLink.

Australian Aboriginal art you can take to the bank

2008-07-22T10:55:00.003-04:00

According to The Australian, Australia's national newspaper, Aboriginal art from Titjikala Art Centre will soon adorn National Australia Bank ATM locations in major cities around the Australia.

This support for native artists is reported to be part of efforts by National Australia Bank and the Commonwealth government to encourage self-initiative and economic development among Aborigines, long dependent on their art for economic sustenance.

For more information, visit The Australian here .

For examples of Australian indigenous art, visit TribalWorks, a website devoted to quality tribal art with a special section exploring Australian Aboriginal art and artists.

New Jewelry Book Signing at SWAIA Indian Market

2008-07-20T13:00:00.002-04:00

Southwestern Association for American Indian Art has announced that a special book signing party will be offered on August 21, 2008, at Shiprock Santa Fe, 53 Old Santa Fe Trail, in conjunction with this year's Santa Fe Indian Market.

Dr. Dexter Cirrillo will sign his recently published, Southwestern Indian Jewelry, a sequel to highly regarded earlier volume of the same title. Signed copies of both books will be available for purchase at the event with proceeds going to SWAIA. SWAIA members will receive a 10% discount of the regular price of $55. Evidence of current membership must be presented.

The event will be held from 4 pm until 7 pm.

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This notice is presented as a public service by Susanne and William Ernest Waites, who9 will be blogging at this site from Indian Market this year. Waites' maintain four tribal art websites at Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink, TribalWorks and ZuniLink.

Controversy clouds upcoming Telstra Awards

2008-07-20T12:46:00.003-04:00

According to The Australian, Australia's national newspaper, the annual Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards are coming up for criticism concerning the transparency of the competition.

Individual artists submit their works through Aboriginal Art Centres. Allegedly due to concerns about who can submit, who will be accepted and how works will be judged, six Aboriginal Art Centres are reported to have withdrawn previously submitted pieces.

Despite the controversy, Telstra's sponsorship manager has stated Telstra's continuing commitment to the event.

As more information becomes available, it will be reported here.

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Brought to you as a public service by Aboriginals Gallery and its partner web sites at ZuniLink, TribalWorks, Native-PotteryLink and Native-JewelryLink.

Folk art market is alive and well

2008-07-20T11:39:00.004-04:00

Reports from Santa Fe, New Mexico, say that sales at the 2008 Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, recently concluded, were up 19% over 2007 sales. Sales at booths handled by the market were $1.45 million. Sales at booths that handled their own sales are still being tabulated. Market attendance also was almost 20% higher in 2008 and than 2007.

This is encouraging news for artists, dealers, buyers and sellers in the tribal art market.
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Brought to you as a service to those interested in the world of tribal art by Aboriginals Gallery and its partner websites at Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink, TribalWorks and ZuniLink.

SWAIA ANNOUNCES NEW CINEMA PARTNERSHIP

2008-07-13T13:27:00.003-04:00

SOUTHWESTERN ASSOCIATION FOR INDIAN ARTS ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH NMAI AND CCA FOR NATIVE CINEMA SHOWCASE
Experiencing Native arts and cultural expression in the twenty-first century
(SANTA FE, NM) - The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is entering a new partnership with the National Museum of the American Indian and Santa Fe's Center for Contemporary Arts, to expand the annual Native Cinema Showcase, adding an additional downtown venue directly accessible to Indian Market patrons and additional programming.

This will mark the eighth year of the Showcase, presenting new and classic films and videos introduced by the filmmakers, panel discussions, and media workshops for young people. The films celebrate the growing presence of Native cultures and indigenous media on the global stage, and explore issues of common concern to indigenous people worldwide.

Native Cinema Showcase will take place August 21-24, 2008 at the Center for Contemporary Arts and at a new state-of-the-art video venue, the Cinema at Cathedral Park, located just one block from Santa Fe's historic plaza. The Cathedral Park venue will feature family-friendly films that are free-of-charge to the public. Bringing the Native Cinema Showcase to a venue so close to Indian Market creates an opportunity for more people to experience Native culture(s) through a different lens.

Native Cinema Showcase Program partners also include WGBH, the Indigenous Language Institute, the New Mexico Film Office, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the Institute for American Indian Art. Native Cinema Showcase will screen more than 25 works from the Arctic Circle to Brazil, directed by filmmakers from more than two dozen tribes and Native nations.

The full program, in PDF form, will be available July 15 at www.nativenetworks.si.edu.

This information is provided by Aboriginals: Art of the First Person and its partner web sites at Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink, TribalWorks and ZuniLink. Proprietors Susanne and William Ernest Waites will be blogging from Indian Market again this year.

Buffy Stainte-Marie to appear at IAIA event

2008-07-09T09:46:00.008-04:00

This from the Institute of American Indian Arts, posted as received -

Celebrating a Half Century of Native American Art

Santa Fe, NM – The most “happening scene” in Santa Fe this August is one fans of the Institute of American Indian Arts won’t want to miss. IAIA’s annual benefit dinner and art auction “The ‘60s: A Revolution Begins” will celebrate the organization’s founding decade with a special live appearance by legendary musician and activist Buffy Sainte-Marie. IAIA founder Dr. George A. Boyce and his wife (and former IAIA staff member) Mrs. Oleta Merry Boyce will be honored posthumously with IAIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Hosted by actor Raoul Trujillo and Chief of Protocol for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, Jill Momaday Gray, the evening’s festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. at the historic La Fonda hotel on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. All proceeds will go toward student scholarships and support services.

The event is being co-chaired by artist Connie Tsosie Gaussoin and community volunteer Jane Cooper Colman. Tsosie-Gaussoin notes, “We are excited to lend our support to this important event. IAIA has touched the lives of so many Native students, helping them to become successful artists. It feels good to raise more money for much needed scholarships.” Many of these former students turned art world stars are giving back by donating pieces to the auction. Among them are Tony Abeyta, Denise Wallace, Christine McHorse, Doug Hyde and many, many more. Event co-chair Jane Cooper Colman adds, “What could be more important than your education? It is the one thing that can never be taken away from you. The ability to offer an excellent education to talented Native Americans across North America is a win-win for everyone. Everyone should rejoice in the opportunity to support the Institute of American Indian Arts, which in turn supports the arts and artists of tomorrow.”

Special guest Buffy Sainte-Marie became famous for her anti-war songs in the ‘60s. Her name even appeared on White House stationery among those whose music “deserved to be suppressed.” Since that time, she has recorded seventeen albums, three television specials and won an Academy Award for the song “Up Where We Belong.” She has been an instructor at the Institute of American Indian Arts, and her digitally manipulated paintings have appeared at the IAIA Museum, other galleries and museums across the country, and in Canada.

Honoree Dr. George Boyce was instrumental in the formation of IAIA. Appointed its first Superintendent by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1961, Boyce later hired Lloyd Kiva New as IAIA’s first art department director. For many years Boyce shared his administrative talents and extensive experience to benefit IAIA. Dr. Boyce’s family will accept his Lifetime Achievement award on his behalf.

Individual tickets start at $125, but special sponsorship opportunities are available as well. For more information about purchasing tickets or the event, please call 1.800.804.8263 or email cgasper@iaia.edu . For more information about the Institute of American Indian Arts, please visit www.iaia.edu.

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Offered in furtherance of awareness and appreciation of Native American tribal art by William & Susanne Waites, owners of Aboriginals: Art of the First Person and publishers of ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink and Tribalworks

Cherokee Tribal Art Festival in NC next weekend

2008-07-09T09:34:00.003-04:00

This from Visit North Carolina -

http://www.visitnc.com/tools_search_schedule_detail.asp?Propertyid=37982&eventid=226701

(If the link doesn't work, cut and paste it into your browser)

If you are in the area July 17-19, 2008, this sounds like some time well spent. Enjoy.

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Offered in furtherance of tribal art awareness and appreciation by Zuni Link, Native JewelryLink, Native PotteryLink, and Tribal Works by William and Susanne Waites

Institute of American Indian Arts Names New Museum Director

2008-06-27T13:22:00.002-04:00

The Institute of American Indian Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Patsy Phillips as Director of the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum. She will begin her position on August 11, 2008. “She brings a wealth of both professional experience and personal attributes to fill the critical vacancy of IAIA Museum Director,” Jim Santini, member of the IAIA Board of Trustees and Chair of the Museum Committee notes. “She will be a long-term asset to both the Institute and Museum.”

Dr. Robert G. Martin (Cherokee), President of the Institute of American Indian Arts, said he is “…extremely pleased that we have selected someone with Patsy Phillips’ credentials, vision, experience and skills to lead the IAIA Museum. She values collaboration and will bring energy and enthusiasm in building on our museum’s strong foundation as a center for important exhibitions and programs relative to contemporary Native American art.” Phillips was selected after an extensive national search, and joins IAIA after working at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C for more than eight years. While there, she developed and managed several programs. As Director for NMAI’s participation in the world-famous Venice Biennale, she organized the sponsorship and promotion of artists such as Edgar Heap of Birds and James Luna. After noticing NMAI’s need for a unit dedicated to contemporary Native arts, Phillips oversaw the planning and development of a strategic plan for contemporary arts which was launched this May. Before working for the National Museum of the American Indian, she was both Interim Executive Director and Program Development Director at Atlatl, Inc, a national service organization for Native American arts in Phoenix, AZ.

A member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Phillips says, “I am thrilled to begin my new post as the Director for the IAIA Museum. I look forward to working with the smart and dedicated IAIA staff and students who are committed to the advancement of contemporary Native arts. I plan to find ways to work collaboratively with other organizations across the country so that together we can change the way contemporary Native art is understood and represented.” She holds a Master of Arts degree in non-fiction writing from Johns Hopkins University, and a Graduate Certificate in Museum Administration from Harvard University.

SWAIA SANTA FE INDIAN MARKET STILL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

2008-06-27T13:15:00.002-04:00

.... BEFORE AND DURING INDIAN MARKET
Become an integral part of making Indian Market Happen

The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is calling for volunteers to help produce Santa Fe Indian Market. In 2008, Indian Market takes place August 23 & 24, 2008. Hundreds of positions are available to interested volunteers. Volunteers are needed in SWAIA's Santa Fe office beginning in May, with more positions available beginning in June and increasing to hundreds for the weeks before Market in August.

SWAIA volunteers have a wide range of skills and interests. Possibilities for volunteers include helping staff to answer calls and prepare materials in our office, providing information to visitors or selling beverages during Market, and even being a part of SWAIA's grand Preview of Award-Winning Art. SWAIA also encourages teams of volunteers-like family members, workplace associates or old friends-to work together with SWAIA in accomplishing some of the huge tasks we have, like setting up the hundreds of artist booths in the hours before market.

"I look forward to meeting and working with the dedicated individuals who return year after year to volunteer at the Santa Fe Indian Market," said Elizabeth Harris, SWAIA Development Associate. "And I also look forward to welcoming new people. The time and energy that volunteers bring to SWAIA is really important to us, and much of the success of Indian Market rests on their shoulders."

Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to download a volunteer sign-up form from SWAIA's website at www.swaia.org. Volunteers can also contact Elizabeth Harris by email at eharris@swaia.org or by phone at 505-983-5220 extension 238. For more information about SWAIA or the Santa Fe Indian Market, please visit SWAIA's website at www.swaia.org or call 505-983-5220

New Zuni Fetish Home Page at ZuniLink

2008-06-23T11:10:00.003-04:00

We have redesigned the home page at http://www.ZuniLink.com to improve loading time and make navigation easier.

We'd appreciate feedback.

Did make it better? Or is it same old, same old?

You can comment to this blog or email us at sanibelart@comcast.net .

Native American earrings on sale - 30% off

2008-06-15T10:31:00.004-04:00

Now through July 28, 2008, you can save 30% off the listed price of any and every earrings pair in our Native-JewelryLink inventory.

Every pair - posts, clips, wires - is included. Silver, gold, inlay, channelwork, turquoise, lapis, coral, shell. If you find it and you love it, you'll get 30% off.

Start by visiting this page and clicking on one of the Native American Indian earring index page links.

Find the earrings you want. Place your order through our secure order form or by calling us at 800-305-0185 (8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time). Tell us you want the sale discount and we will deduct 30% from your earring order.

You can pay by Paypal or any major credit card. Or use our Collector's Club layaway.

It's that simple.

Don't wait to the last minute. At this discount, great buys will go fast.

IACA names Top Native American artists -2008

2008-06-12T08:51:00.004-04:00

The Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA) has named the top artists at its April Market.

Artist of the Year went to Mary Lou Big Day from the Crow nation of Montana. Her award-winning work was a beaded and painted doll entitled "Crow Traveling Medicine."

Second Place was awarded to Venus "Brightstar", a Creek artist, for her porcupine quilled leather jacket entitled "The Vine of Life."

Other awards included:

Jewelry-Lapidary: First and Second Places to Charlene Sanchez Reano, San Felipe. (Charlene's work is represented at Native-JewelryLink .

Jewelry-Metalsmithing: First Place to Earl Plummer (Navajo). Second Place to George "Shukata" Willis (Choctaw). Third Place went to L. Bruce Hodgins (Navajo). Earl's work, done in conjunction with Calvin Begay at the time, also can be seen at Native-JewelryLink .

Sculpture-Small Scale: First Place to Caroline Carpio (Isleta). Second Place to George "Shukata" Willis (Choctaw)

Judge's Choice: First Place to Frank Fowler, Jr. (Navajo). Second Place to Caroline Carpio (Isleta). Third Place to Don Standing Bear (Metis). Caroline's work in pottery is represented at Native-PotteryLink.

IACA, of which Aboriginals: Art of the First Person is a long-standing member, works to promote Native American Indian art and to protect its authenticity by requiring all members to offer only Native American-made work, unless it is otherwise clearly identified as being not made by American Indians.

Ira lujan , Taos glass artist

2008-06-11T20:13:00.003-04:00

We have been intrigued by the growth of glass artistry among Native American artisans.

Ira Lujan, a Taos Pueblo member, is one of the foremost practitioners. We have acquired a video of Ira at work. We were so struck by it that we asked for permission to put it on the blog.

Enjoy.

Incidentally, you will find two examples of Ira's work for sale at Native-PotteryLink. Click on the the Taos link.

Thanks for visiting, Susanne and Willliam Waites

Today's the day for Red Earth

2008-06-06T11:12:00.005-04:00

If you are in or near Oklahoma City this weekend, set aside some time to visit the Red Earth Celebration. It starts with big parade today and continues as an arts and crafts show over the weekend. More than 1,000 Native American artists will be represented.

We have always enjoyed Red Earth as a source of fine Native American art, some of which has been featured from itme ot time on our websites, ZuniLink for high quality Native American fetish and other carvings, Native-JewelryLink for authentic Native American jewelry and Native-PotteryLink for fine pueblo pottery.

We recommend it as an excellent way to indulge and engage in a beautiful Native American tradition.

Did you know Dru?

2008-06-06T10:55:00.004-04:00

Dru Anne Doyle, formerly Director of Merchandising and Product Development at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis and now Manager of Sales and Marketing at Ocean's Reach Condominium Association on Sanibel Island Florida, has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.

Dru left her museum post in Indianapolis to settle on Sanibel in 2007. We remember her well from the various shows and events where we would see her when she was a buyer for the Eiteljorg and we were buying for our websites at ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink and Native-PotteryLink .

Since I also am a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber board, I look forward to seeing her very smiling face and positive view of life at future meetings. (But, of course, we miss her in the Native and Tribal Arts field.)

Sad News - Pernell Laate, Zuni Carver

2008-06-06T10:47:00.003-04:00

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Pernell Laate, a well-known and highly respected Zuni carver. Pernell was the brother of Maxx Laate, another carver of remarkable talent, whose work has been shown on our website at ZuniLink.

We extend our condolences to the Laate family and all those at Zuni Pueblo who knew, loved and worked with Pernell Laate.

Sad News - Navajo Code Talker Passes

2008-05-29T13:37:00.004-04:00

We received news that Navajo Code Talker Jerry C. Begay Sr. died Memorial Day, May 26, 2008. Begay was 83.

As a Code Talker, Begay was among the approximately 400 men who served with the US Marine Corps in the Pacific during World War II. Begay served in the 2nd Marine Division, 297th Platoon.

He received both a Purple Heart and a Congressional Silver Medal of Honor.

Navajo Code Talkers on Parade as
carved by Navajo Folk Artist, Renzo Reed

Code Talkers were employed by the US combat forces to communicate with one another via the radio in the heat of battle. By speaking their native Navajo language, they befuddled the Japanese who were listening into radio transmissions with the intention of breaking the American's code.

Post war comments from captured Japanese radiooperators indicated that the ploy was successful.

We salute the service of Jerry C. Begay Sr and all other patriotic American Navajo Code Talkers who were instrumental in our winning in the Pacific Theater.

Thank you, Jerry. Thank you all.

Stolen Art Alert

2008-05-27T10:10:00.004-04:00

The University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver has reported the theft of 12 works of art by Native artist Bill Reid, including a gold box with Haida designs, surmounted by a sculptured eagle.

Reid died in 1998 after years of renown as a Haida artist. He was considered one of Canada's most significant artists, with four of his works appearing on the Canadian $20 bill.

(An earlier issue tribalartery featured works by Reid that were on exhibit in Santa Fe at the time of the Indian Market.)

If you hear or see anything about these stolen works, please contact the University of British Columbia or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

These are not just national treasures. They are world treasures. They must be found and returned before their gold content encourages the thieves to melt them down.

Thank you. William Ernest Waites.

More Native American & Ethnographic Art Shows

2008-05-23T21:16:00.002-04:00

For your advance planning, here's a list of shows to put on your calendar:

5^th Annual Eastern Navajo Arts & Crafts Festival

June 28, 2008

Torreon/Star Lake Chapter House

Torreon NM

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

July 12 – 13, 2008

Museum Hill, Santa Fe

http://www.folkartmarket.org

87^th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

August 6 – 10, 2008

Red Rock State Park, Gallup NM

http://www.gallupintertribal.com

Great Southwestern Antique Show

Sneak Preview – Friday, August 8, 2008

Saturday, August 9, 2008 – 9-5PM

Sunday, August 10, 2008 – 10-4PM

Albuquerque Fairgrounds

WhiteHawk Ethnographic Art Show

Preview Opening - Friday, August 15, 2008 – 6-9PM

$75 for beverages, food and three days admission.

Saturday, August 16, 2008 – 10-5PM

$10 - General Admission

Sunday, August 17, 2008 – 10-5PM

$10 General Admission

WhiteHawk Antique Indian Art Show

Preview Opening - Monday, August 18, 2008 – 6-9PM

$75 for beverages, food and three days admission

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 – 10-5PM

$10 - General Admission

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 – 10-5PM

$10 – General Admission

El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe.

Historic Railyard District

http://www.whitehawkshows.com

Allard Auctions

Phoenix AZ November 7-9, 2008

Phoenix AZ March 13-15, 2009

Santa Fe, NM August 15-16, 2009

Phoenix AZ November 13-15, 2009

http//www.allardauctions.com

25^th Annual Marin Show Art of the Americas

February 21 & 22, 2009

Marin Center, San Rafael CA

http://www.marinshow.com

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This schedule information is brought to you as a public service by William Ernest and Susanne Waites, proprietors of web sites offering Native American art at ZuniLink, Native-PotteryLink, Native-JewelryLink and TribalWorks, in the belief that the more people come to know about and appreciate Native American and all tribal art, the better it will be for all concerned.

Thank you.

SWAIA announces Buffalo Thunder Resort's sponsorship

2008-05-22T09:32:00.005-04:00

Native enterprises working together to promote Native arts and culture

(SANTA FE, NM) The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) is proud to announce the alliance of two great entities, the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino and SWAIA, in a unique title sponsorship for the Santa Fe Indian Market. . This three-year sponsorship is symbolic of the Pueblo of Pojoaque's commitment to Native American artistic expression and tradition. Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is Santa Fe's largest destination resort, brought to fruition by visionary Pojoaque Governor George Rivera, and will feature a Hilton resort and spa, restaurants, convention center, golf courses and casino.

Governor Rivera stated, "Buffalo Thunder Resort's sponsorship of the Santa Fe Indian Market represents a significant commitment on the part of the Pueblo of Pojoaque to Native arts and to the communities and pueblos of New Mexico. The new resort is a stunning realization of pueblo arts and culture combined with Hilton hospitality and we are proud to align it as the title sponsor of Santa Fe's most cherished event."

Governor Rivera, a long time supporter of the arts, has commissioned several Native artists to produce work for the resort and that list includes Mateo Romero, Roxanne Swentzel, George Toya, Kathleen Wall and Lonnie Vigil to name a few. These distinguished Native artists and many others are showcased throughout the facilities to provide visitors with an opportunity to see the excellence and diversity of contemporary Native creative expression in several mediums. SWAIA is interested in the prospect of creating more exposure for Native artists through this partnership and the possibility of future collaborations with Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino.

Comanche artist and SWAIA Board member Nocona Burgess said, "This is a collective use of resources that benefits Native families and communities. We should form practical coalitions. This is certainly one of them." This partnership strengthens local relationships, brings communities together, and provides economic stimulus back to Native enterprises. Burgess remarked, "I think this is a good thing for SWAIA, Native artists and our community. We have to help ourselves and lend support where we can. I see Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino doing that." Burgess noted that many Native artists who exhibit in the Santa Fe Indian Market have contributed to the art and aesthetics of the new resort. Burgess also stated, "There will be many different people who will go to the resort for events, conferences, vacation, etc. These people will be exposed to Native arts and culture through the art and artists represented."

Sponsorships are an essential part of the revenues raised each year to stage the renowned Santa Fe Indian Market. SWAIA, a non-profit organization, takes absolutely no percentage of sales from Indian Market artists. The Santa Fe Indian Market costs, like everything else in our lives, continue to escalate -from the rentals of 650 tents for the artists to the various other costs of converting the Plaza and downtown Santa Fe to a premier showcase for Native arts. Buffalo Thunder's sponsorship will provide much needed support and will help pay for the planning and presentation of Indian Market. This auspicious sponsorship also represents a type of a mutually beneficial partnership that recognizes the centrality of the Santa Fe Indian Market to the Native fine arts movement.
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This information is provided as a public service by William Ernest and Susanne Waites, proprietors of Aboriginals: Art of the First person, a business member of SWAIA, and its Native American Indian arts and tribal art web sites at ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink and TribalWorks

Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival - THIS WEEKEND

2008-05-20T09:27:00.005-04:00

Just the other day we blogged about the Zuni Arts & Culture Festival at the Museum of Northern Arizona this weekend.

Now we want anyone who is closer to Santa Fe than to Flagstaff to know about the Native Treasures Indian Arts Festival at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture on Museum Hill.

This show is a treasure in itself, displaying work by some of Native America's most popular and respected Indian artisans. The list of those scheduled to appear boggles the expectations.

A short list of those we know and represent includes:

Caroline Carpio, Isleta potter and bronzecaster
Randall Chitto, Choctaw potter and bronzecaster
Preston & Deborah Duwyenie, Hopi and Santa Clara potters
Michael Kanteena, Laguna potter
Pam Lujan-Hauer, Taos potter
Samuel Manymules, Navajo Dine potter)
Pahponee, Kickapoo/Potawatami potter
Wayne Snowbird, Santa Clara potter
Tommy Jackson, Navajo Dine jewelrymaker
Marvin Slim, Navajo Dine jewelrymaker
Jayne Quam, Navajo Dine carver
Kateri Sanchez Quandelacy, Zuni carver
Talia Quandelacy, Laguna/Zuni carver
Ira Lujan, Taos glassblower

There are many others. Links indicated with the individual names will take you to examples of the artists' works on our web sites.

This show will benefit Santa Fe's Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. Hours are Friday night at 6 pm with a special pre-sale gala. Saturday from 9 am for those with Early Bird tickets, from 10 am to 4 pm for general admission. Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm with free admission.

For more information, visit the Native Treasures web site by clicking here.

Zuni Festival at Museum of Northern Arizona

2008-05-19T09:06:00.004-04:00

This is the weekend for the Annual Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture at the Museum of Northern Arizona in flagstaff.

In its 18^th year, the festival will be held on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 as a collaboration of the MNA and the A’shiwi A’wan Museum and Heritage Center at Zuni.

The Zuni Pueblo is one of New Mexico’s largest, covering more than 600 acres. More than 11,000 Zunis exist in and around the Pueblo, with about 80% of the families involved in some artistic endeavor. These include the creation of everything from pottery to carvings to jewelry and two-dimensional graphic art. Some families also create beautiful beaded figures, such as the one by Jeannette Dewesee, shown to the right.

The following artists and craftspeople are schedule to exhibit and/or demonstrate at the festival.

Colin Coonsis―inlay jewelry
Kenneth Epaloose―pottery
Rolanda Haloo―jewelry,
Silvester Hustitio―painting
Otto Lucio―jewelry
Claudia Peina―fetish carving,
Lynn Quam―fetish carving
Octavius and Irma Seowtewa―needlepoint jewelry
Margia Simplicio―beadwork
Noreen Simplicio―pottery
Raylan and Patty Edaakie - silver and inlay jewelry
Lorandina Sheche - fetish carvings
Todd Westika - fetish carvings

According to A:shiwi A:wan Director, Jim Enote, the Zuni Festival of Arts and Culture is “…more than an event about Zuni, it is a very public gesture, acknowledging Zuni presence and influence on the Colorado Plateau.”

Robert Breunig, director of the Museum of Northern Arizona agrees, “The Zuni culture is an integral part of the Colorado Plateau, with close cultural connections to the land and ancestral villages in southeastern Arizona and western New Mexico. The spiritual and ancestral landscape of the Zuni or A:shiwi includes the San Francisco Peaks or Sunha:kwin K'yaba:chu Yalanne in the west, Steamboat Wash in the north, Mount Taylor in the east, the Salt and Gila River Basins to the south, and of course, the Grand Canyon, the Zuni place of origin. By creating a collaborative relationship with the Zuni Tribe, MNA is able to ensure that the dialogue and cultural exchange about the Zuni people and their lifeways comes directly from the source.”

More information about the event is available at the Gallup Independent newspaper website and the website of the Museum of Northern Arizona.

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This message is brought to you as a public service in support of all tribal arts by William and Susanne Waites, proprietors of online galleries featuring Zuni carving, Zuni jewelry and Zuni pottery.

A Review of Jonathan Batkin's new book

2008-05-17T18:16:00.003-04:00

Jonathan Batkin is the Director of the Wheelwright Museum of Indian Art in Santa Fe, NM. He has written a book that explores the role of traders and curio dealers in the growth and development of Native American silversmithing. The book, published by the Wheelwright, is titled The Native American Curio Trade in New Mexico.

An enlightening review of the book has been published by the Santa Fe New Mexican's Pasatiempo Section. It may be accessed at this link: http://www.SantaFeNewMexican.com/Pasatiempo/Curios-didn-t-kill-this-cat

Those interested in, or collectors of, Native American silver jewelry will find the review interesting.

You may also find a visit to Native-JewelryLink worthwhile. This site has a wide selection of Native American contemporary silver jewelry for sale.

Kachinas: Their history and appeal

2008-05-16T20:47:00.005-04:00

We don't carry kachinas (or katsinas) for the most part.

We have one or two that we acquired for our own pleasure - and one was recently added to the TribalWorks web site / Native American art gallery.

But we ran across this interesting article about them.

http://www.antiquetrader.com/article/
Antique_Detective_Collectible_Kachina_
dolls_have_a_history/

If you are a collector or thinking of collecting or know someone who collects kachinas, you may find this article interesting too. You may even want to let others know about it.

As always, our interest in tribal art extends beyond the pieces we carry as dealers and as gallery owners.