Historical Objects
Dealers of historic Native American and tribal art gather in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this August for an art walk and sale.
SANTA FE, NM
Visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico, in August is on the bucket lists of many collectors and enthusiasts of Native American art. This year, Santa Fe might look a little bit different due to the pandemic, but a group of gallerists and art dealers from around the nation have come together to bring robust and diverse offerings of historic Native American and tribal artwork to the public—social distance style.
On April 28, James Compton of James Compton Gallery in Santa Fe began discussions with other dealers—julie Kokin-miller of Sherwoods Spirit of America, Brant Mackley of the Brant Mackley Gallery and Ted and Anna Trotta-bono of Trotta-bono Gallery— on how to bring commerce to the city and, more specifically, their galleries. Thus Santa Fe – August 2020, a five-day invitational art walk and sale featuring around 50 dealers, was born. “Even in the midst of the COVID-19 virus, I felt that Santa Fe was going to come alive this summer, especially later this summer, and that I wanted to be ready to accommodate that need,” says Compton. “Our galleries sell historic, or antique, tribal and Native American art. This is our specialty and others all around the country and world come here to Santa Fe to find such material.”
The local galleries, as well as visiting dealers, have secured locations throughout the city and will be primarily spots downtown and on Canyon Road, Guadalupe Street and in the Railyard. The tour, happening August 14 to 18, will abide by all state and city rules, regulations and guidelines regarding COVID-19.
“Brant Mackley has had several years of experience of going to Europe and participating in the international shows. Brant brought to the table the idea of doing a show similar to Paris’ Parcours des Mondes, or Tour of the Worlds,” Compton explains. “In this event, there is a region of Paris where the galleries congregate. By adding visiting galleries to the city, either by incorporating them into existing galleries or having them find a pop-up space, they are able to put together a show where one walks from venue to venue. Paris is perfect
for this experience given the richness of the city and the texture of the walk.”
Santa Fe, he adds, being a walkable city with organic streets featuring early adobe structures all around, was able to offer a similar experience. “As well, walking around outside allows what would normally be a crowd inside a larger room, to now be dispersed amongst multiple, smaller gallery spaces, allowing for social distancing and greater safety regarding COVID,” says Compton. “The five of us reached out first to local galleries, then to other galleries outside of Santa Fe all over the U.S. that normally come to town to participate in the annual shows. Immediately there was interest, and a group of core people quickly formed. For those from out of town, we are helping them figure out how to set up in town.”
Along with the original five, participating dealers include Adobe Gallery, Buffalo Tracks Gallery, Frank Hill Tribal Arts, David Cook Fine American Art, Four Winds Gallery, Gallery Tribal Art, John Ruddy Textile Art, Lyn A. Fox Fine Pueblo Pottery, Morning Star Gallery, The Rainbow Man, Roadside America’s Gallery of the West, Steve Elmore Indian Art and Turkey Mountain Traders, to name a few.
At Compton’s gallery collectors will find everything from Navajo weavings to Zuni water jars, while Lyn A. Fox Fine Pueblo Pottery’s specialization in historic handmade vessels will be sure to delight visitors. Brant Mackley Gallery will included a number of beaded works such as Woodlands moccasins from around the 1850s or 1860s and a circa 1890 to 1900 pictorial beaded North Plains Indian doctor’s bag. John C. Hill Fine Art, from Arizona, will have a location on Palace Avenue just off the Plaza and will have a large collection of antique jewelry including early silver beads. Chipeta Trading Company will feature vintage historic revival Native-made jewelry dating from the 1880s and will allow visitors to make appointments so they can have the chance for one-on-one sessions with gallery owner Don Siegel.
The walk and sale is free for attendees, and allows collectors the chance to find unique, authentic items as a wide range of prices. For up-to-date information, keep your eyes on the event website.