The Stars in our Universe by Vernon Haskie |
Haskie Wins at Heard Indian Market
Arizona-based jeweler Vernon Haskie (Navajo) won Best of Show at the Heard Museum Guild’s 49th annual Indian Fair and Market in Phoenix, AZ, in March. His winning piece—a silver-and-coral concho belt entitled the stars in our universe—also took top honors in the jewelry and lapidary classification. Other Best of Classification winners included: Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo) for pottery; Annie Antone (Tohono O’odham) for baskets; Nuavdi Dawahoya (Hopi) for wooden carvings; photographer LeRoy DeJolie (Navajo/Diné) for paintings, drawings, graphics, and photography; Tahnibaa Naataanii (Navajo) in textiles, weavings, and clothing; and Marcus Amerman (Choctaw), who won for both sculpture and diverse art forms. A new category for monumental art (sculpture more than 6 feet tall) was added this year, though it was not included in the judging.
Out & About
Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art in Santa Fe, NM, has changed its name to Gebert Contemporary…. The Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, TX, recently acquired the negro looks ahead, a bronze sculpture by Richmond Barthé, who is considered one of the most successful sculptors of the Harlem Renaissance…. Colorado watercolorist Dona Abbott died in March at the age of 63. Abbott, whose work appeared in numerous books, was one of the founding members of Mustard Seed Gallery in Boulder, CO.
Among the Enemy by David Mann |
Altermann Auction Tops $1 Million
Altermann Galleries’ March auction in Scottsdale, AZ, pulled in more than $1 million in sales for 91 lots. The top lot at $66,000 was Olaf Wieghorst’s american nomads. Other top sellers were Clyde Aspevig’s the grand canyon at mather point, which brought in $54,000; Ron Riddick’s room with a view at $42,000; and David Mann’s among the enemy, which sold for $38,400, nearly doubling its presale estimate. In the set-price sale, the top-selling lot was Elias Rivera’s outdoor laundry, priced at $45,000. “For this auction, we focus on low- to mid-price works of art. We are trying to match the market to our clients who are wintering in Arizona,” said Tony Altermann of the Santa Fe-based gallery.
Native Symbols
Montana-based Native American artist Jesse Henderson (Cree) designed the Pendleton Woolen Mills’ 2007 Legendary Blanket, which was issued in April. The blanket is the eighth in Pendleton’s special edition commemorative series that honors Native American traditions, ceremonies, and beliefs. Henderson’s design, called sacred dance, depicts how the Cree people relate to the world and communicate with the Creator. The story of the design is included on a label sewn into each 64-by-80-inch blanket.
In Good Taste
Santa Fe’s ARTfeast once again provided a bountiful weekend of good art, good food, and good works. The 10th annual event raised $90,000 for ARTsmart, the Santa Fe Gallery Association’s nonprofit organization that supports art programs in local public schools. To date, ARTfeast has raised nearly a half million dollars. The February fundraiser drew 2,500 people to an array of events. New this year was the Vintner’s Luncheon and Style Show. Friday night’s popular Edible Art Tour featured more than 30 galleries teamed with local restaurants to present themed food and art displays, such as Ventana Fine Art’s “Neptune’s Treasures,” Joe Wade Fine Arts’ “Exquisite Taste,” and “Cowboys and Indians” at Kiva Fine Arts, where gallery artists Yellowman and Roark Griffin provided musical entertainment.
Tiny Treasures
The American Miniatures Show hosted by Settlers West Galleries in Tucson, AZ, earned $845,000 in February, selling 275 of 378 available paintings. The two top lots, sold by silent bid, were Howard Terpning’s new blood from the crow, which sold for $91,939, and Bob Kuhn’s the buck stops here, which went for $38,202.