The magic of the market moves indoors at the Heard Museum Shop, where seven talented artists will showcase their wares for the entire duration of the event. While the shop artists don’t have booths in the regular market areas outdoors, having one’s artwork featured in the Heard Museum’s award-winning shop is an honor in and of itself. Since 1958, the shop has been buying and selling the highest quality, authentic works of Native American craftsmanship and artwork.
Karen Clarkson (Choctaw), I Am My Mother’s Daughter, oil on board, 18 x 18”
Among the seven shop artists for the 2024 market are Ray Tracey (Navajo), Victoria Adams (Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho), Karen Clarkson (Chocktaw), Jackie Larson Bread (Blackfeet), Tim Blueflint Ramel (Bad River Chippewa/Comanche), Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo) and Ivan Howard (Navajo). These artists capture a wide gamut of styles and modes of creation, from the meticulously hand-crafted wooden flutes and jewelry of Blueflint Ramel to the stunning silverwork of Tracey and Howard.
Jackie Larson Bread (Blackfeet), We Are Fierce, 2023, Blackfeet horse mask beaded on wool with buckskin, brass bells, beads and Mother of Pearl discs, approx. 20 x 22 x 10”Bread, a beadwork artist, considers her work both traditional and contemporary. “I bead traditional Blackfeet floral and geometric designs to enhance the primary image of each piece, [which] is usually a contemporary styled photorealistic portrait,” she says. While Bread was a painter for many years, her art eventually transitioned exclusively into beadwork. “I love to push the boundaries of this medium—it is ultimately challenging.” Her Blackfeet Horse Collar is beadwork on wool with buckskin, mother-of-pearl shells, brass bells and beads. Another recent piece is a Blackfeet beaded horse mask called We Are Fierce.
Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), A Question of Balance, bronze, ed. of 25, 23 x 4 x 5”
Tim Blueflint Ramel (Bad River Chippewa/Comanche), a partial collection of assorted sterling silver and gold jewelry adorned with natural and gem grade Black Web Gem, Carico Lake, Apache Blue, #8 and copper canyon turquoise and petrified caddis fly larvae in red jasper.
“My art is about storytelling by presenting Native women as strong and resilient advocates of their own future,” says Clarkson, who works in two-dimensional art. “As a self-taught artist, I experiment with many different mediums. This year you will see new techniques and subject matter as well.” Clarkson works with oils, graphite and more, creating traditional portraits, ledger art and even paintings on animal hide. One of her paintings featured in the Museum Shop this year is an oil on canvas titled I Am My Mother’s Daughter, a portrait of a contemporary young Diné woman in traditional dress.
Tim Blueflint Ramel (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), artisan flutes from curated exhibition grade Black Myrtlewood Burl, African Blackwood, Honduran Rosewood Burl and zebrawood adorned with sterling silver set with natural Pilot Mountain and Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, sugilite and North American black jade.
Swentzell will be bringing several sculptures to the shop in March, including her bronze A Question of Balance, depicting a woman balancing a jar on her head. “Feet firm, she stands balanced,” says Swentzell. “Centered within herself she holds a water jar upon her head confidently. Life is strong when we can align so well.” Other sculptures that Swentzell is bringing include Something Precious and Things are Looking Up, each depicting expressive figures in seated positions.
The featured artists will be at the Heard Museum Shop to meet and chat with visitors throughout the market days.
Powered by Froala Editor
