Sad News - Navajo Code Talker Passes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

It's not too late ...

.... to catch the New York International Tribal & Textile Arts Show.

Today is the first day of the 14^th annual New York International Tribal & Textile Arts Show at the 69^th Regiment Armory, Lexington at 26^th Street, New York City.

The show continues through Sunday with the following hours:

Friday, May 16, 2008 from 11 am to 8 pm

Saturday, May 17, 2008 from11 am to 7 pm

Sunday, May 18,2008 from 11 am to 5 pm

Seventy-seven galleries will exhibit textiles, sculpture, statuary, jewelry and tribal objects.

If you can find time this weekend, make it a point to visit the show. Genereal admission is $15.

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This notice is presented as a public service by Aboriginals: Art of the First Person, the tribal art gallery doing business at online galleries - TribalWorks.Com , Native-PotteryLink.com , Native-JewelryLink.com and ZuniLink.com .

Acoma Pueblo: Above it all.

The Pueblo of Acoma has a long and illustrious history in New Mexico. It is said to the longest continuously inhabit village in North America, with its founding dating back 1200 years. Part of its survival and prosperity can be traced to its physical location on a mesa high above the New Mexico desert. For decades it was resistant to inroads by Spanish colonials. Eventually, however, the Spanish infiltrated the village, converted the inhabitants to Catholicism and, in 1641, built the San Estaban Mission Church.

(Right above: an Ansel Adams photograph of the
San Estaban Mission Church)

Some of this history has been chronicled in an article in the current, May 2008 issue of Smithsonian Magazine.

Another cornerstone of its success has been the incredible talent of the Pueblo’s pottery makers.

(Left: an Edward Curtis photo of Acoma women carrying pots )

Among the most prominent contemporary pottery artists at Acoma Pueblo are Sharon Lewis, Diane Lewis, Carolyn Lewis Concho, Rebecca Lucario, Judy Lewis and Marilyn Henderson. These “sisters in the clay” are not related to the legendary Lucy Lewis. But they have created their own reputation based on their own beautiful work.

They often create small pots known as seedpots. They are recognizable by the small hole that traditionally was used to insert seeds and shake them out at planting time. The small hole was a feature designed keep out hungry rodents and insects.

The earliest versions of the seed pot were plain and utilitarian.

Over time, the designs became more detailed. Exterior painting began to become polychromatic, with details of various creatures that are important to life among the Acoma people. Three dimensional elements are added to bring even more appeal to these charming pots. With new aesthetic features, these decorative pots have seen their seed holes become smaller, just large enough to allow the inside of the pot to breathe during firing.

These sweet, whimsical creations, often carry price tags that cause new collectors to hesitate. How can such a small pot cost so much?

Let’s start with the raw material. It is dug from special clay deposits miles from the pueblo village. They are only accessible by foot, requiring long and tiring journeys before any refinement of the clay begins.

The clay comes from remote locations that are miles from the Acoma Pueblo village. Potters can only get to them by walking long distances over difficult terrain. When harvested, the clay is in chunks that are hard as slate. The chunks must be broken up by hand. Sometimes the clay is dry. Other times it is damp and requires drying for several days before it is sifted and winnowed to filter out unwanted elements. The clay is then crushed and ground fine with a smooth stone. Then temper, in the form of finely ground potsherds from old broken pots, is added to the clay. The temper binds the clay to give it the strength and pliability required for trouble-free firing. This results in pottery walls that are very thin, yet quite strong.

The next step is the process by which the dry clay becomes workable so that it can form a pot. The dry, tempered clay and water are mixed slowly with more temper added until the potter’s experience tells her it has the right texture and consistency to be made into a pot.

A pot begins by placing the clay in a half-gourd, a shallow basket or another bowl to support the base as coils of clay are added around the upper edges. This work requires delays to let each coil “set” enough to support the next coil. Eventually the shape is defined and the scraping of the surface begins. A gourd is used to scrape the walls smooth. This scraping takes place in stages, allowing for drying to take place, until it is as thin as the potter wants. Finally, it is burnished with a smooth “sanding” stone.

Even with the brilliant white clay that Acoma potters start with, a slip of fine white kaolin clay is applied over the pot’s surface. This achieves a bright white finish. It creates an ideal surface for the fine designs the potter will apply. After several coats of slip have been applied and allowed to dry between applications, the surface is again polished with smooth stone.

The paints that Acoma artists use are, in fact, new clays combined with vegetable binders and mineral pigments. These plants and pigments are an integral part of the vibrancy and beauty of Acoma pottery. Experienced potters determine when the combined pigment, binder and water are of the proper consistency. If it is too thin, the paint may flake when the pot is fired. If it is too thin, it may fade.

Traditional painting is done with a sliver of yucca that has been chewed to a single strand. The finely detailed painting is even more impressive when considered in this context.

The final step is the firing. In the early days, the pots were fired in open outdoor fires. Changes in weather and temperature would cause frequent breakage, after hours of work had been invested in the unfired pot. The more delicate the form, the more vulnerable the pot.

As a result, sometime in the 1970s, Acoma pottery became to be fired in electric kilns. The more consistent, higher temperatures provided by a kiln, allow thin-walled Acoma pottery to emerge in beauty and strength. This also has encouraged the kind of whimsical touches that now appear in the charming seed pots created by the Lewis “sisters”.

(At left: a typical Carolyn Concho seed pot.
Note the 3-dimensional lady bug being serenaded
by a painted kokopelli.)

Special Note: There seem to be some Acoma people who have succumbed to the temptation of using pre-formed, molded pottery, or “greenware” as a cost saving measure. We do NOT knowingly carry greenware pottery in our online gallery at Native-PotteryLink.com. If you encounter Acoma pottery that is priced surprisingly low, ask the seller if it is greenware. You may be perfectly happy with buying it, but please be aware of what you are buying.

Newly Posted Acoma Seedpots by Carolyn Concho and Rebecca Lucario

We have just posted to our website at Native-PotteryLink.com some delightful seed pots by Carolyn Concho and Rebecca Lucario. Click on each image to go to a page with larger pictures and pricing details.

Carolyn Concho Seed Pot with concave area
sporting a three-dimensional lady bug

Carolyn Concho oval seed pot with painted quail,
heron, fish, lizard and three-dimensional turtle

Rebecca Lucario seed pot with a parrot
surrounded by a pattern symbolizing rain.

Plan to return to the Tribal Artery blog shortly. We have an interesting article in development about Acoma pottery and the Lewis sisters who made the seedpot examples featured her. Thank you.

PS: We have been running a sale of Pueblo Pottery with discounts of 20% to 40%. The sale is scheduled to close on May 30. We recommend you check it and act before discounts end.

Nine rules to keep from getting fleeced when you buy tribal art.

As more and more people become interested in the fascinating world of tribal art, more and more novice collectors stand at the edge of decisions that can be extremely rewarding, or equally disappointing.

How do you make sure that you don't get taken when you start buying tribal art? At least, how do you recoup if you do get taken?


First. Know who you are buying from. We live in a fly-by-night world. Buying from a stranger or someone with an uncertain reputation is asking for disappointment. You are left without recourse if you have been told something that isn't accurate.

Check out the seller. Is he a member of a professional organization such as the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, the Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association or even a local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau. You also can search the dealer's name and you may find web sites that praise or complain about him or her.


Second. It is not unreasonable to ask for references, especially if you are considering an expensive piece. The experience of other buyers can give you a feel for the legitimacy of the person you are buying from. But be fair and check more than one so you don't make your decision on the basis a single disgruntled customer or vendor.


Third. Know your subject matter. The internet is filled with sources of information about tribal art. There are more discussion groups, blogs and web pages with background information than can be listed here. Just Google some terms like tribal art, African art, tribal masks, Native American art, Zuni art, etc. Read the sites and learn. You will be amazed at quickly you can become familiar with the field.



Fourth. Know the provenance. Unless you are buying directly from a contemporary artist, you have a right to know who owned the item before the seller and who owned it before that. If you can get a contact name and number, it's all the better.

When you get the provenance, check it out. Don't just take the seller's word for it. Even if a previous owner has past to attic in the sky, secondary research with auction catalogs and other editorial material can help you identify or confirm previous owners.


Fifth. Check comparative prices. Another boon from the internet: it is possible to compare prices for similar items. I say similar because there almost never are exact duplicates of tribal art objects. Almost by definition, each item is one of a kind. But you can get some feeling for value by looking at how similar objects are described and priced.

This advice may strike you as peculiar coming from a person that sells on line through sites such as Native-JewelryLink, which sells the very items it is encouraging you to shop around for. In fact, we are not unique. Most dealers in tribal art are happy to have you compare their offerings and prices with each other. The more you know, the better buyer you will be. And the more you will value the companies you buy from.


Sixth. Be very skeptical at auctions. Whether live or online, most auctions are "as-is" sales, with the exception of outright fraud. Even then, good luck if you bought something that turns out be different than it was described. Few things in life, are as final as the auctioneer's hammer.

On the other hand, if you are comfortable with your judgments and ability to separate the phony and fake from the real and valuable, auctions are excellent places to find good pieces at bargain prices. Just don't be intimidated by the auctioneer or the appearance of quality and authenticity. See key #2.


Seventh. Don't buy without a formal, detailed receipt or certificate of authenticity from the seller. Sure certificates can be faked. After all, they really are nothing more than the word of the seller. But at least they are the written word. Few sellers will commit outright lies to paper. If you must take or send the item back, you have a document to back up your claim. The certificate also will help if you take the item to third party for an opinion. You will not be in the position of having to remember exactly what you were told.


Eighth. Don't buy online unless the seller has an inspection and return policy. It doesn't have to be for along period. Seven to 10 days should be adequate for you to hold the object in your hand, see its true condition, feel its texture, measure its size and so forth.

There is nothing wrong with showing your purchase to other authorities. Let them tell you what they think of it before you show them any documentation. If they dispute what you were told, don't be reluctant to tell the original seller and ask to return it. But don't be cowed into sending something back that you actually like simply because someone else doesn't think it is so hot. (And always remember that other dealers have an interest in proving how "smart" they are, and separating you from what you like.)


Ninth. Don't buy for investment alone. Any piece art, tribal or fine, may appreciate over time and may be easy to liquidate for cash. Or not. The most successful collectors and dealers I know only buy items that they would be content to keep in their permanent collection if they fail to sell.

There are few things as frustrating in the art world as buying something you don't love in the expectation that someone else will love it and buy it. When they don't, you have to look at each day.

About the Author

William Ernest Waites and his wife, Susanne, are owners and operators of four online galleries offering tribal art, ZuniLink, Native-PotteryLink, Native-JewelryLink and TribalWorks.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

5 more days 'til Sotheby's Spring Tribal Art Sale

Sotheby's African, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian Art Auction, scheduled for May 16, 2008 at the New York Gallery is just five days away.

For a summary of the auction and an interpretation of it's significance in the world of Tribal Art, visit this article in News-Antiques.com.

Baga serpents, one of which is featured in the auction and the article, with an estimate of 1.5 to 2 million dollars, are some of the continent's most striking sculptural objects.

We will miss the auction in person but will be monitoring it from afar and will report on the most interesting sales.

Thank you for your attention, William Ernest Waites, TribalWorks

Summer is Native Art Season Check these shows

Yes, Summer is coming and with it comes the season of Native American Indian and other Tribal Art Shows and Auctions. Here are a few we know of. Save the dates.

33^rd Annual Benefit Auction at the Wheelwright Museum, Santa Fe, NM

Thursday, August 21

Silent Auction and Live Auction Preview - 4 PM – 6 PM

Friday August 22

The Collector’s Table - 9 AM 10:30 AM

The Native “Art for Wear” Designer’s Showcase - 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

The Live Auction Preview - 11 AM – 1 PM, Auction starts 1:00 PM

More information at Wheelwright.org

Whitehawk 30^th Annual Invitational Antique Indian Art Show El Museo Cultural, Santa Fe, NM

Monday August 18 - Gala Preview - 6PM- 9PM

Tuesday, August 19 & Thursday August 20 - Show - 10 AM – 5 PM

More information at WhitehawkShows.com

Bonhams & Butterfields Native American and Pre-Columbian Art Auction, San Francisco, CA

Friday June 6 – Monday June 9 - Preview

Monday June 9 - Auction - 12 PM

Timeless Beauty : Pueblo Women Artists of the 20^th Century Show,
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM

Continues through June 14

More information at IndianPueblo.org

Sothebys, The James Ecónomos Collection of Northwest Coast American Indian & Eskimo Works of Art, Paris France

June 11 - Auction

More information at Sothebys.com

Box of Treasures Anniversary Exhibition Douglas Reynolds Gallery, Vancouver, BC, CA

Saturday June 7 - Opens - 5 PM

More information at DouglasReynoldsGallery.com

41^st Red Cloud Indian Art Show, The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School,
Pine Ridge, SD

June 1 – August 10

More information at RedCloudSchool.org

Glass Arts of Native America Show, Quintana Gallery, Portland Oregon

June 5 – July 31

More information at QuintanaGalleries.com

Mid-West Auction of Historic American Indian Arts, Lone Jack, MO

May 17

More information at DirkSoulisAuctions.com

22^nd Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City

June 6, 7 & 8

More information at RedEarth.org

Making Wood Talk, Bill Henderson solo exhibition, Inuit Gallery of Vancouver

June 7 – 27

More information at Inuit.com

Brian Lebel’s 19^th Annual Cody Old West Show & Auction, Cody, WY

June 26, 27, 28

More information at CodyOldWest.com

Allard’s "Best of Santa Fe" Auction, La Fonda Hotel, Santa Fe, NM

August 16-17

More information at AllardAuctions.com

Seventh Annual Historic Indian & World Tribal Arts Show, Santa Fe, NM

August 14-17

More information at TribalAntiqueShow.com

If you are in the vicinity of any of these cities at these times, we encourage you to visit these shows and auctions. If you are not, may we suggest a visit to one of our web sites for a sampling of the same subject matter. ZuniLink features quality hand-carved Zuni fetishes and other tribal carvings. Native-JewelryLink is a treat of sparkling Native American jewelry in silver and gold, turquoise, coral and other beautiful stones. Native-PotteryLink is home to wide array of authentic, hand-coiled, traditionally fired Native American Pueblo Pottery. TribalWorks is an amalgamation of tribal art objects from Africa, Australia, Native America and the Arctic.

New York Internet shoppers - Beware; the tax man cometh

According to the media, the State of New York is in the process of requiring Amazon to collect sales tax on all sales sourced from New York residents, and remitting those taxes to the State. If the buyer lives in New York City, City taxes also will be attached to Amazon sales. That would add up to a surcharge of more than 10% on every purchase a NewYorker makes from Amazon.

I'm not a lawyer but I know a little something about WHY you don't pay sales tax when you but from an internet merchant who does not have a "nexus" in your home state. (Nexus is a fancy word for a presence or connection.)

Something called the Interstate Commerce Clause says that individual states can not interfere with trade between the states. In a court case called "Bellas Hess", the Federal courts decided that states could not require catalog merchants who did not have offices in, or a connection to, a State to collect taxes on behalf of that State.

Take our gallery, Aboriginals, and Florida as an example. If you live in Florida and you buy from us, we must, as a Florida company, collect 6% sales tax from you and forward it to the State tax collector. But if you don't live in Florida, we can't be required to charge you the sales tax for the State you live in.

To require us to do so would put your state right between us and you, a violation of the Interstate Commerce clause.

A disinterested party, that is, one who isn't paying the tax, might ask, "why is that so bad?" Well, there are 50 different states. If we, or any other internet merchant, had to calculate, collect and forward different State taxes for all of them, and for every taxing jurisdiction within them, we would not be able to stay in business.

The losers would be our customers, you, and the people who rely on us to pay our tax, based on our income.

What does all this mean to you?

If you live in New York, make sure to check the tax collection status and policy of whoever you are buying from. Make that a consideration about doing business with them. If you decide to buy anyway, order now, before the tax starts being collected.

If you live in any other state, check if the merchant you are dealing with has a "nexus" in your State and what their tax collecting policy is. And lobby your State government not to follow New York's lead.

On the good news side, many legal authorities believe that New York State doesn't have a prayer of winning if this goes to the Supreme Court as a Constitutional challenge.

Stay tuned. You are the one that pays this tax.

College of Menominee Nation Clean-up Day

We came across this presentation on blip.tv about efforts of the College of Menominee Nation in Wisconsin to clean up pollution, real and potential, of the Great Lakes.

In its own way, it is the art of tribal action at work.

We include a link here so that you too can see what good things happen when good people get together to do them.

http://blip.tv/file/868863

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As respecters of all Indian Nations, William Ernest and Susanne Waites, owners of online galleries featuring authentic Native American and other tribal art at ZuniLink, Native-JewelryLink, Native-PotteryLink and TribalWorks, salute the work of the Menominee people and all other tribes that work help us keep the planet clean.