Native Spirit Artwalk
The Scottsdale Gallery Association presents its annual Native Spirit Artwalk on February 28.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Each winter, Native American art collectors head to the desert oasis of Phoenix for the annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. During the week leading up to the festivities, there are a number of events around the city for collectors to enjoy including the yearly Native Spirit Artwalk hosted by the Scottsdale Gallery Association. This year’s art walk will kick off at 6:30 p.m., with a number of special exhibitions taking place to celebrate the occasion.
Among the galleries to visit will be Bischoff’s Gallery; The Legacy Gallery, which represents the works of Navajo-ute artist Oreland Joe; Waddell Gallery; Faust Gallery; Territorial Indian Arts & Antiques, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary; Dennis June Gallery; River Trading Post; and King Galleries located just off Main Street on Marshall Way.
During its 50th anniversary exhibition, Territorial Indian Arts will be showcasing collector-quality art and jewelry. “We expect visitors from all over the globe to stop in,” say owners Deb and Alston Neal. “A drawing will be held for a significant piece of art. Native artists will appear during the evening, but join us for the festivities from noon to 9 p.m.”
Featured at the gallery will be an array of basketry, antique Navajo and Pueblo jewelry, rare turquoise, as well as pottery by Margaret Tafoya and Maria Martinez.
At River Trading Post collectors will find an array of contemporary Hopi katsina dolls, works by Mark Fischer, Felix Vigil, Carol Lujan, L.H. Waddell and more. The Legacy Gallery represents Joe, and on display in the gallery will be his much heralded stone
sculptures and oil paintings from his brand new series that recalls the ledger art tradition.
Dennis June Gallery will feature several exhibits during the art walk, including ingot jewelry by Craig Agoodie. According to gallery owner Dennis June, Agoodie is called the “King of Bezels.” June explains, “He earned that title by melting raw silver and hammering it into thick ingot strips. He then cold chisels grooves, filling each twice, creating square ‘merlons’ atop each embattlement. And finally he taps each merlon gently securing the gemstone.” The gallery also will host a trunk show for Emerald Tanner that includes four generations of high-quality Native American jewelry.
Charles King, owner of King Galleries, says that the Native Spirit Artwalk is one of his largest events of the year. “Potters Nathan Youngblood, Tammy Garcia, Al Qoyawayma, Juan de la Cruz and Les Namingha will all have new works in clay,” King shares. “Painter Marla Allison will have new artwork in the gallery.”
Along with the extensive offerings from dealers, gallery-goers can watch performances from Native American dancers and drummers, as well as other entertainers.