(Continued from Page 1)Where’s it Secure to Buy?Museum Shops – There are shops at major museums such as the Herd in Phoenix, that are really cautious about the origin and good quality of their merchandise. Getting from a museum shop known for their information of Native American culture and art would be a extremely safe bet.Trustworthy Trading Posts – There are some long-time traders in Gallup, New Mexico, for instance that are identified for trading with Native American artisans. When you purchase from them they can tell you who made the item and what tribe they are from. Here’s our write-up on Gallup Trading Posts. I really feel comfortable buying from any of the trading posts mentioned in the write-up.Fairs and Events – There are some wonderful exhibitions and competitions of Native American art. I recently attended both the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial and the Santa Fe Indian Market. I enjoyed seeing which items won prizes and learned significantly from studying the art and remembering the artisans’ names. At events like these, the rates may possibly be higher but you can be assured of acquiring a best-notch piece of jewelry or art. native american turquoise jewelry If you go to a Pow Wow or Ceremonial, look for the juried art show as other vendors could not be screened and you may not be assured of authenticity.
There are juried shows such as the Litchfield Native Arts Festival, close to Phoenix, where you can also see artists who have been screened for good quality and authenticity.Buying Directly from the Artists – Most typically you will meet Native American artists at shows or exhibiting at fairs. Rarely will you have the chance to go to the artisan’s residences. Even so, at Zuni Pueblo, for instance, the Visitor’s Center offers paid tours where you will be able to visit the houses and workshops of one or two artisans. There are also a handful of artisans who have shops that are open to the public in Zuni.
In the historic Acoma Sky City, you can take a tour of the higher mesa exactly where potters live and sell their wares. You can typically meet the artist and inquire regardless of whether the art is created in the standard coil technique or is painted “green ware,” for instance. It’s a fantastic chance to find out about Acoma pottery and native american turquoise jewelry make a obtain straight from the artist or artist’s family members.There are Laws
You can actually report jewelry and art getting sold as Native American that is not. There is an Indian Arts and Crafts Act which prohibits the misrepresentation of Indian arts and craft items within the United States. This act is a truth in marketing law generating it illegal to offer or display for sale any very good in a manner that falsely suggests it is Indian created, or the solution of a specific Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization within the United States. The law offers criminal and civil penalties for misrepresenting Indian arts and crafts. If you would like to know a lot more about the law and how it protects Native American artisans, you can find much more details on the Indian Arts and Crafts Board – Division of the Interior internet site. You can even listen to an audio message from Interior Secretary Kempthorne on genuine Indian art, and, if you discover someone misrepresenting Native American art, you can report a violation.ResourcesDivision of the Interior WebsiteWhich is Handmade? Brochure in .pdf format.Council for Indigenous Arts and Culture
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