Besides the centennial celebration for Santa Fe Indian Market, this year also marks an even bigger milestone for one art gallery. Tanner’s Indian Arts, in Gallup, New Mexico, is making waves with their upcoming 150th Celebration to be held in Santa Fe, alongside Indian Market festivities. Hosted at the La Fonda on the Plaza hotel, the show will present 150 carefully curated artworks to commemorate 150 years of art trading and selling, along with establishing significant relationships with renowned Native artists.
Collection grouping from left to right: Redware Pot by Tony Da (1940-2008, San Ildelfonso Pueblo); All-natural gem-quality turquoise, bracelet by Harrison Jim (Navajo) and Lapidary setting by B Tsiiyupovi Tom (Navajo/Pueblo) ca. 2021; Silver bracelet by Raymond C. Yazzie ca. 1980; 18k gold bracelet by Sonwai (Hopi Pueblo) ca. 2022; 18k gold earrings by Don Supplee (Hopi Pueblo) ca. 2022; His/hers Bisbee bracelet set by Preston Monongye (Navajo/Hopi Mission) and Jonathan Taya (Navajo); Canteen by Kee Joe Benally (Navajo) and Lapidary by Roland Long (Navajo) ca. 1980; #8 Nevada Turquoise jacla necklace, Pueblo, circa 1930s.
Tanner’s Indian Arts is currently owned and operated by fourth-generation art dealer Joe E. Tanner Sr., his wife Cynthia and their daughter, Emerald Tanner. “Starting with great-grandpa Seth (1828-1918) in 1872, the [family] has established a longtime stake and history in the Great American Southwest,” notes the co-owners. Joseph Baldwin Tanner (1867-1944), Seth’s son, was an important character in terms of the marriage of coral, turquoise and silver in Native American jewelry. The Tanner grandchildren have carried on these traditions, while also expanding on their elders’ success.
All-Natural Lone Mountain fossils and inlay by Enrike Leekya (Zuni).
“Our presence exists not only in our trading posts and galleries established throughout the many years, but in our trade relationships with generations of artists of the region,” the family explains. “It is our love for the trade that connects us, and the opportunity to collaborate and cultivate relationships with various artists of the greater Gallup area that fuels the incredible body of work that we proudly bring to market.”
The Tanner family has had the unique opportunity to work with prominent Native American artists and their descendants over these many years, often giving some of them their start in the art world. This includes some big names like Charles Loloma (Hopi), Preston Monongye (Navajo/Hopi Mission), Lee and Mary Weebothee (Zuni Pueblo), Lee Yazzie (Navajo) and Maria Martinez (San Ildelfonso), among many others.
Emerald Tanner wearing a circa 1770-1790 Saltillo Serape and mid-century jewelry of various Southwest tribes and pueblos.
For the anniversary show, the family will showcase 150 pieces that beautifully represents these incredible artists the family has had the pleasure of working with throughout the years. “In addition to capturing the artists and their stories, these pieces are also reflective of the progression of fine American Indian art that spans from the turn of the century to present day—pueblo pottery throughout the 1900s, choice paintings, turn-of-the-century Navajo weavings and, of course, fine jewelry by various artists of Navajo, Hopi and Zuni Pueblos that highlight the very best materials, including all-natural, gem-quality domestic turquoise,” Emerald explains of the show collection.
Pictured here is a sampling of available items for purchase, including a redware pot by Tony Da, placed among a grouping of cuff bracelets, earrings and a canteen made by artists such as Harrison Jim (Navajo) and B Tsiiyupovi Tom (Navajo/Pueblo), Raymond C. Yazzie (Navajo), Don Supplee (Hopi Pueblo), Sonwai (Hopi Pueblo), Preston Monongye and Jonathan Taya (Navajo), Kee Joe Benally (Navajo) and Roland Long (Navajo). Also pictured is a rare, all-natural Lone Mountain fossil inlay necklace by Enrike Leekya (Zuni Pueblo).
Joe E. Tanner Sr. and daughter Emerald Tanner, fourth- and fifth-generation traders.
“The pieces we bring to market will be some of the very best we have to offer,” says the Tanners. While the 150th Anniversary celebration show is held in Santa Fe, August 17 through 21, the family encourages collectors to visit their gallery space in Gallup for an even more fulfilling display of historic, traditional and contemporary artworks.
Tanner’s Indian Arts
August 17-21, 2022, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
237 W. Coal Avenue, Gallup, NM 87301, (505) 870-1522,
www.tannersindianarts.com, Show Location: La Fonda on the Plaza (Ballen Ballroom) 100 E. San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501, www.lafondasantafe.com
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