Online shows have many benefits that are popular with collectors: no travel fees, no pesky parking problems, no dress code (pajamas welcome) and no rush, which allows collectors to browse at leisure over hours or even days. One of the most popular online shows, the virtual version of Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show¸ returns February 22.

Navajo Chief’s blanket
“These shows are fun for me because people are very open to go online to buy art of all kinds,” says show owner Kim Martindale. “I’m a staunch believer in in-person shows and I believe they are crucial, but online shows also serve an important purpose in allowing people from all around the world to view this great material. This Whitehawk show is so much bigger than just the individual gallery’s websites. It’s a place where people can come to learn about the work, see new kinds of objects and be part of this unique art community.”

Plains Indian shirt
Martindale, who has been promoting shows for more than four decades, has dozens of vendors, galleries and dealers who have signed up for the February online show, which runs through February 28. He characterizes the vendors as primarily North American businesses, but he does have some dealers from Australia and Europe. “Not only do we have international vendors, we also have an international customer base,” he says. “It’s that diverse combination that makes these shows so great. And since these businesses don’t have to pack up everything and ship it to a physical show, they are more inclined to show a diverse array of material.”
He notes that the dealers can swap out objects and rotate in new items, which should create opportunities to revisit the site. “Every couple of days it will look different,” he says, adding that the show is free to collectors.

Navajo silver and turquoise wrist cuff
The show will include all the classic categories of Native American and Indigenous art: pottery, basketry, beadwork and quillwork, jewelry, textiles and weavings, carvings, paintings and historic objects. “I love all of it, but I would say jewelry is especially hot right now,” Martindale says. “The great part of our site is that you can view the jewelry from all the dealers, or from specific dealers. There is a search bar that allows you to search for exactly what you’re looking for. And if you sign in, you can even create favorites that will be saved for you.”

Apache tray
Martindale adds that collectors should not only use the show to find artwork they like, but also to find dealers for their questions. The community, he says, wants to help collectors learn as much as they can so they can be knowledgeable about Native American material. “Learning from these great people is crucial at shows like this,” says Martindale. “They are all very willing to help people and communicating with them about the things they are interested in.” —
February 22-28, 2025
Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show
www.virtualwhitehawk.com
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