ENTHUSIASTIC BUYERS
The annual American Indian Art Show | Marin was met with strong crowds and new collectors.
The annual American Indian Art Show | Marin was met with strong crowds and new collectors.
President’s Day weekend, collectors of Native American art showed up in droves to the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael, California, for the 34th annual American Indian Art Show | Marin. The show was met with enthusiasm as eager buyers turned out to purchase baskets, jewelry, kastina dolls and more. Kim Martindale, producer of the show, says, “There was an excitement this year, as there were sales happening and in many cases to new buyers.”
Steve Begner, owner of Turkey Mountain Traders, reported similar findings as Martindale. “The show was a good one for us, with sales to both new and established clients,” he shares. “Most of our sales were jewelry, including a major Charles Loloma piece and an extraordinary 19th-century Navajo necklace.”
Many collectors visited the Buffalo Barry’s Indian Art booth for their fix of Hopi kastina carvings, of which dealer Barry Walsh sold 12, including several fine old examples. Jewelry he had available was also of note, with attendees purchasing necklaces, bracelets and pins. “The Marin show has an intimate feel, which I enjoy,” Walsh says. “It often feels like a reunion of fellow dealers and longtime customers.”
According to Victoria Roberts of Cowboys & Indians Antiques, “The show had a good crowd on Saturday. We met new customers and some younger, so we were happy about that.” While jewelry was the top seller in their booth throughout the weekend, the Santo Domingo kilt that was featured in the preview on the show in the February/march issue of Native American Art magazine also found a new home.
Each year more than 100 dealers gather for the show, with the milestone 35th annual outing scheduled for mid-february 2019.