Wright's Indian Art Celebrates 106 Years with New Location and Mother's Day Grand Opening Celebration

 

 

There are some places that give you fond memories, and you carry them with you no matter where you go. Wright's Indian Art in Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of those places.  When I first moved to New Mexico, I popped in to have a look at all the gorgeous Native American jewelry by Steve LaRance, Marian Denipah, Roland Brady, Dylan Poblano, Steve Yellowhorse,  Lyndon Tsosie, Althea Cajero and many more.  I was immediately charmed by salespeople Elizabeth and Joan, who warmly greeted me, made me feel welcome and suggested incredible things for me to try on.  I was also wonderully overwhelmed by the number of larger pieces by Jemez artists Kathleen Wall, Joe Cajero, and Swirl Pots by Dominique Toya.   Wright's is also a place to meet artists and develop a rapport with them. Some of my most treasured and lasting friendships with artists started at Wright's!

 

 

Tufa cast and turquoise corn and spider web
cuff by Dino Garcia (Kewa Pueblo)

 

Everything in shop is high-quality, and there is a variety that fits every budget--from fetishes to pots, to paintings and everything in between.  Wright's makes collecting Native art fun and affordable, and they stay on the cutting edge of what's happening in the Native art world.  After all, they has always offered the best in Native American art since it began as a trading post on the Navajo reservation over one-hundred years ago.  Wright's Indian Art is an institution in the Southwest and has celebrated many milestones.   

 

 

Swirl pots by Dominique Toya of Jemez Pueblo

 

Now, Mr. B and the gang--the people who love to sit down with you and talk art, life and jewelry--are marking a new milestone. Wright's Indian Art is celebrating its 106th Anniversary with a BIG move to a new location in Albuquerque at 2677 Louisiana Blvd N.E.  (View Map) as well as a BIG PARTY!

Stop by the new gallery for a  Grand Opening Celebration on May 11 and 12 (Mother's Day Weekend...did someone say "I want jewelry?!) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  It will be a who's who of Native artists coming out to show their dedication to and support of the gallery.  

 

Wright's Indian Art, which is the oldest continuously operating Indian art gallery in Albuquerque, will carry the same art, represent the same artists and offer the same warm, wonderful customer service, but now in a more streamlined gallery with an even better online presence.  It's reassuring to know I can still have that traditional Wright's Indian Art experience in-person and get my fix online when I'm not in town. Here's to another 100 years, Mr. B!!!

A "Here's What's Happening" for the Grand Opening Celebration:

INDIAN ARTIST MARKET
Meet and deal directly with a variety of award-winning Native artists. The event will be held outdoors all weekend long.

CEREMONIAL BLESSING
by a Native medicine man

SILENT AUCTION
Handmade pieces by award-winning artists, local products, gift cards, and more. All proceeds to benefit First Nations Community Healthsource, providing crucial health and social services to the urban Native community.

RAFFLE DRAWINGS
Everyone who makes a purchase will eligible to win valuable prizes.

SPECIAL SHOWS
Southwest Zuni Connection
Carl and Irene Clark will personally exhibit and discuss their world-renowned micro-mosaic jewelry

ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS
Maxine & Dominque Toya (Pottery)
Alice Yazzie (Pastel art)

NATIVE MUSIC
Double Flute performed by Adrian Wall, and more.

DANCERS
Nakota LaRance, prize-winning hoop dancer and former Cirque du Soleil performer will dazzle us on Sunday.

FASHION SHOW
Featuring designer Penny Singer and surprise guests.

 

For more information about the gallery or the Grand Opening call 505-266-0120 or visit Wright's Indian Art of Facebook or at www.wrightsgallery.com.

 

The Wright Place at the Wright Time for Native Art

While living in New York City, I went to go see a lot of art. The downside: I always had to travel into the city on the weekend to see it, or--if I was lucky--the opening would be on a week night, and I could pop-in after work to partake of the fantastic creations in SoHo or Chelsea.

The best part of living in Albuquerque, besides the fact that I have my car, is that art galleries are little more than twenty minutes from my house. What's even better is that when art shows take place in Northeast Albuquerque, I'm even closer, and parking is ample! Friday was just such a night when I didn't have to drive too far to see top-notch, FABULOUS Native American art. I mean, it was practically in my own backyard, at Wright's Indian Art.

Wright's Indian Art has been in business for more than 100 years (102, to be exact!), and that says a lot about it's reputation and the quality of the artists the gallery is able to attract. Not only do they carry the works of tried and true artists, they also represent the best in young, up-and-coming talent (here comes the plug for a couple of friends) such as Kathleen Wall and Silvester Hustito, who just opened his own Santa Fe gallery. From gorgeous jewelry by the renowned Alex Sanchez and Tommy Jackson to pottery by Fannie Loretto, the Fragua family , paintings by Yellowman, and others, there is always something special to be found at Wright's Indian Art.

Speaking of special, Friday night's ArtsCrawl played host to a number of fantastic Native American artists, including Darryl and Ramey Growing Thunder (ledger art) to innovative and unique jewelry by Kee Yazzie, Jr. I'm always in awe of Native American craftspeople, and this event was no exception. It was a thrill to see famed Jemez potter Maxine Toya and her daughter Dominique Toya (Maxine, who I first met at 2009 Indian Market is a friend of my dear friend Cypriana). I have never met Dominique before, but this rising Indian Market star , who was featured in the August issue of Southwest Art, did a wonderful demo on how she creates her micaceous melon pots. It's always fun to learn about the process. Maxine showed a beautiful nativity set, which has yet to be fired and painted.

I am a jewelry fiend, and, of course, when I met Marian Denipah and Steve LaRance, I was in Heaven, because Marian's jewelry is some of the finest made and distinct that I have ever seen. Her unique abstract kachina-inspired rings mesmerized me, and I could little control myself from buying everything at their table. Of note was the matching necklace and ring that Marian had basically designed around the turquoise, whose shape resembled a cloud. Marian was more than happy to model her ring and necklace ensemble, in addition to two of her turquoise rings that caught my eye.


















For the urban dweller (and I know the style-consciousness of the city fashionista!), I discovered these really cool "Cityscape" cuff bracelets by well-known designer Steve Yellowhorse. I have truly never seen anything like these before. This piece, sure to have people grabbing your wrist asking you "where'd you get that?" can be yours for only $1,800!

The evening would not be complete without meeting the seemingly soft-spoken and charming Hopi potter Preston Duwyenie. He and his wife Debra Duwyenie, who is of the Santa Clara Pueblo, are the duo behind some traditional and very cutting-edge Native American pottery. While Preston utilizes ancient potting techniques, he creates magical, contemporary pots that depict rain clouds filled with water and the gentle movement of sand as one would find in a desert dune. With his wife he collaborates on sgraffito pots, typical to Santa Clara. Preston builds the clay and Debra etches remarkable patterns that include delicate hummingbirds.

Wright's Indian Art is located on the corner of San Mateo and Lomas in Northeast Albuquerque. You can also visit them on the Web at http://www.wrightsgallery.com.