If the Indian arts shows are factored out, where can collectors, especially beginners, expect to find the best work? We faced this issue in our visit to Tucson earlier this year. We were looking out for quality Tohono O’odham baskets. The Mission at San Xavier used to be a good bet, but their gift shop held only a few mediocre items. We located a small shop not far from the mission, Turquoise Skies where there was good work available. This shop was run by local men who knew the local artists personally. Even then, however, the owners admitted that getting this work is harder. Not only are fewer Native artists able to take the time to make this art, or teach a new generation, but well-to-do collectors and city dealers come to them first.
What does this tell those visiting Indian Country for a first-hand experience of buying Native arts there? Well, there will definitely be less really good arts available at trading posts and shops near national parks and tourist attractions. The loss of Verkamp’s at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim is evidence of that. Even the shop at Monument Valley Tribal Park contains items that jump from low-end tourist work to the extremely expensive. If you want good quality Indian arts, your choices—with a few notable exceptions—are to go to the reputable museum gift shops, IACA- and ATADA-backed galleries in the cities, or to the artist directly.
(Disclaimer: While we shop at the Head Museum Shop, we do not receive any gifts or other consideration for mentioning them.)
