Award winning Native American artists, Joe and Althea Cajero, will be featured at the Toh-Atin Gallery during the September 17th Fall Gallery Walk 5-9 pm.

 Award winning Native American artists, Joe and Althea Cajero, will be featured at the Toh-Atin Gallery during the September 17th Fall Gallery Walk 5-9 pm.

Joe, a sculptor and winner of the Best of Class award at this year’s Santa Fe Indian Market, is from Jemez Pueblo. He is a gifted artist in clay and bronze and draws his inspiration from his spiritual beliefs. His bronze sculptures of animals seem to give those creatures a power that comes from within the artist’s hands. His clay sculptures of Koshare clowns bring a smile to the face and a respect for the ceremonial in Pueblo life. 

    

A runner in high school, Joe was a New Mexico State Champion and still is pretty fast on his feet. He will be racing two days before Gallery Walk in an endurance sprint race for one of his family clans on the Jicarilla Indian Reservation.

He has to be fast to keep up with his wife, Althea, who has shown a driven determination in the last three years to become one of the finest contemporary Native American jewelers. She left the security of a job with the Indian Health Service to commit herself to creating beautiful jewelry. Sometimes, she and Joe collaborate on designs and they are constantly bouncing ideas off of each other helping each other see new possibilities. 

     

Cajero, Althea 

$ 850 

3 1/4" 

JALCPE10-1 

Althea is the daughter of the current Governor of the Santo Domingo Pueblo and gives many hours to being the First Lady of the Pueblo. Also of Acoma background, her life has been surrounded with traditional culture. While her work reflects that, it can worn as easily in Paris as in New Mexico. 

Cajero, Althea 

$ 950 

6 1/2" with 1 1/4" opening 

JALCBR10-1 

One of the techniques she uses is to carve designs in Cuttlefish bones and use the designs to cast silver and gold. She sets her work with semi-precious stones, gems and pearls. For Gallery Walk, she will be featuring a selection of jewelry set with high grade Bisbee turquoise. 

Beyond their artistry, Joe and Althea are wonderful, warm and interesting people who you will enjoy meeting and visiting with at Gallery Walk. The colors are turning in Durango, come out and enjoy the fall. All of Durango's galleries are open and excited to share new works with you!

Amazing Guests at Durango Gallery Walk Sept. 17th

Award winning Native American artists, Joe and Althea Cajero, will be featured at the Toh-Atin Gallery during the September 17th Fall Gallery Walk.

Joe, a sculptor and winner of the Best of Class award at this year’s Santa Fe Indian Market, is from Jemez Pueblo. He is a gifted artist in clay and bronze and draws his inspiration from his spiritual beliefs. His bronze sculptures of animals seem to give those creatures a power that comes from within the artist’s hands. His clay sculptures of Koshare clowns bring a smile to the face and a respect for the ceremonial in Pueblo life.

A runner in high school, Joe was a New Mexico State Champion and still is pretty fast on his feet. He will be racing two days before Gallery Walk in an endurance sprint race for one of his family clans on the Jicarilla Indian Reservation.

He has to be fast to keep up with his wife, Althea, who has shown a driven determination in the last three years to become one of the finest contemporary Native American jewelers. She left the security of a job with the Indian Health Service to commit herself to creating beautiful jewelry. Sometimes, she and Joe collaborate on designs and they are constantly bouncing ideas off of each other help each other see new possibilities.

Althea is the daughter of the current Governor of the Santo Domingo Pueblo and gives many hours to being the First Lady of the Pueblo. Also of Acoma background, her life has been surrounded with traditional culture. While her work reflects that, it can worn as easily in Paris as in New Mexico.

One of the techniques she uses is to carve designs in Cuttlefish bones and use the designs to cast silver and gold. She sets her work with semi-precious stones, gems and pearls. For Gallery Walk, she will be featuring a selection of jewelry set with high grade Bisbee turquoise.

Beyond their artistry, Joe and Althea are wonderful, warm and interesting people who you will enjoy meeting and visiting with at Gallery Walk. The colors are turning in Durango, come out and enjoy the fall!

Toh-Atin at Whitehawk In Santa Fe August 15th-17th

Toh-Atin Gallery

heads to Santa Fe for the Whitehawk Show, August 15-17.

Gala Preview Opening:
Sunday, August 15, 6-9pm ($75)

Show Times:
Monday, August 16, 10am-5pm ($10)
Tuesday, August 17, 10am-5pm ($10)

It is Indian Market week again in Santa Fe and Toh-Atin Gallery will be showing at the Whitehawk Antique Indian Art Show August 15-17 at the Sweeney Center in Downtown Santa Fe. This is the premier show in the United States for top quality Antique Indian Art.

Many people feel that the quality, breadth and unique character of the Whitehawk show far surpasses the actual Indian Market the following weekend. While Indian Market is a fabulous happening with hundreds of contemporary artists, this show is a much smaller event with the finest dealers in the world.

Most are members of the Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association and they present works from all of the Native cultures in North America. Whatever your interest, from jewelry, to weavings, to baskets, to pottery, to sculpture or beadwork and many unique items, this is a show to visit. So, don't miss Indian Market, but if you've never been to Whitehawk, you should put that tops on your list!

Please join us at Whitehawk! The web site for the show is: http://www.whitehawkshows.com/

Lance Mumma

Don't miss our major summer show with landscape artist Lance Mumma, Friday July 23, from 5 until 9 pm.

Lance is a native of the Four Corners and graduated from Farmington High School before attending art school and becoming a protege of Wilson Hurley, arguably the finest landscape artist in America. Hurley passed away last year.

Mumma is an oil painter whose latest collection of work features landscapes from Colorado and New Mexico in vivid detail with a color sense that transports you into the picture. You feel your feet in the arroyos, smell the Juniper from his trees, and shiver at the cold wind coming off of the snowy peaks.

Mumma is the official Music in the Mountains artist for 2010 and one of his paintings of Colorado wild flowers graces the program and posters for the event. The painting will be auctioned off at Pop's night in the tent at Purgatory on Wednesday night. For information on this, contact: www.musicinthemountains.com

The gallery showing will be Mumma's first major gallery event in years. There are over 30 paintings, ranging from pieces large enough to cover a living room wall, to smaller paintings suitable for any small spot in your home.

All of the work will be posted on our web site at www.toh-atin.com by Wednesday evening, June 21.

Come and meet Lance and enjoy a great evening of fine art!

Book Signing!

Yess the BOOK HUTCH and TOH-ATIN Gallery invite the public to a presentation and book signing of Wildshots by Claude Steelman
Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5:30-7:00 at Toh-Atin Gallery, 145 W. 9th St., Durango






*Reserve your copy of Wildshots for this event at Yess the Book Hutch, 143 E. 9th St. or calling 259-6624


On the 'heels' of four prior photographic representations of our beautiful state, COLORADO FOR THE FIRST TIME (2005), DURANGO COUNTRY (2006), COLORADO'S WILD HORSES** (2008), and, INTIMATE LANDSCAPES w/ Rosemerry Wahtola Tromer (2009... CLAUDE STEELMAN has published his newest masterpiece, WILDSHOTS (2010), a compilation of his "favorite images."

In this marvelous journey, Steelman guides us through the North American continent - From the vast Alaskan interior to the desert southwest and from the frozen reaches of Canada to the saw grass marshes of the Everglades - where he documents animals and their wild habitats, and astounds us with unimaginable landscapes. WILDSHOTS invites us to celebrate the beauty of nature, and enlivens us with prose reflecting on Claude's experiences and emotions when approaching his subjects.

Mr. Steelman's photographs are captivating - leaving the 'reader' with a desire to explore the intrigue and beauty that surrounds us. Any attempt to express this representation of impressive artistry would fall short.

Also

Claude Steelman shows at Goodnight Trail Gallery in Mancos, Colorado.

July 23rd join in a reception for his work from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at The Goodnight Trail Gallery.

Our New Look?

Please give us feedback on our new look!

Thank You!

Cemetery Experience

Driving across New Mexico on our return trip from a wonderful event at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles last week, my mother and I were struck by the scene of the cemetery at Naschitti. Half way between Gallup and Shiprock, it sits on the open space, surrounded by sagebrush and sparse vegetation. In the distance, the landscape faded away into blue sky and dozens of American flags waved above the quiet scene.
It was a striking sight and a tribute to the Navajo people who had served in our military.
Last year, we attended the 50th marriage anniversary of Marie and Matthew Begay. As part of the festivities, they introduced a nephew who had just returned from Iraq. He said a few words and asked the Veterans in the crowd of over 200 Navajo people to stand. Old men with weathered faces, middle aged men and women and young people stood. It was a large and proud group.
A woman stood up in the crowd, dressed in the traditional velvet top and skirt, and sang the National Anthem in Navajo. It was a moment of pride and unity and it brought tears to my eyes.
Native Americans make up the highest percentage of our nation's armed forces per capita than any other ethnic group in America. From the time of the Revolutionary War, they have volunteered. During World War I, over 12,000 Native people served in the armed forces. And they weren't considered citizens until 1924.
In WWII, out of a population of 350,000 Native Americans, 44,000 served. Another 40,000 worked in war industries.
During Vietnam, 42,000 Natives fought in the jungles of Southeast Asia. And ninety percent of them were volunteers. There are nearly 200,000 American Indian veterans in the United States.
As we drove past the cemetery, with the flags proudly waving, it made me think of a people that were proud to be Americans and to remember the sacrifices they had made even though, in so many cases, they had never had the American dream that so many of us take for granted.
We wanted to share that with you and to thank you for your support of Native American arts. It is a vehicle that has given many Navajo, and other Native peoples, and their families, a better life.

Jackson Clark

Toh-Atin At Autry National Center in Los Angeles

Toh-Atin Gallery will be taking a selection of 100 Navajo rugs to the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, California for a special silent auction on Saturday, June 19, from 11 am until 4:30 pm. with the highest bids at 4:30 winning the pieces.

This auction will feature Navajo weavings in all price ranges and from most of the Navajo weaving areas. On the day of the auction, Jackson Clark will be talking about the pieces being sold and answering questions from bidders. Robert Ozounian from the Persian Rug Cleaning Company in Los Angeles will be on hand to answer questions about cleaning and restoration of your Navajo weavings, so bring them for an evaluation!

Also, the largest weaving to ever win the best of show at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, a beautiful Ganado Red by the late Mae Jim, along with a sister rug, will be on display for your enjoyment. These weavings, valued at $100,000.00 are rarely displayed to the public.

On Friday night, prior to the auction, the Autry is hosing a special Members-Only Preview and reception which will feature light refreshments, a cash bar and a lecture, "Threads Through Time, a history of the Navajo People told through their weaving," by Jackson Clark. Robert Ozounian will also be at the reception to evaluate any weavings you'd like to bring that might need some TLC.

And as a recipient of the Toh-Atin Newsletter and as a fan of the gallery, you are invited to this members only event. Reservations are required, so call 323 667-2000, ext. 380 to get on the list. They have asked that you bring a copy of this email, when you come, but if you forget, don't worry about it. We're looking forward to seeing you!

Purchases at the auction benefit the Autry Educational Programs and help to keep the art of Navajo weaving alive! For more information, please call 323-667-2000, ext. 232 or e-mail mstore@theautry.org.

The museum is located at 4700 Western Heritage Way in Los Angeles, right across from the Zoo! For a map, go to TheAutry.org


See you there!

Toh-Atin In Pasadena Indian Market. THIS WEEKEND!

Toh-Atin Gallery will be exhibiting at the Pasadena Indian Arts Market this coming weekend, May 22 and 23, at the Pasadena Center at 300 Green Street. Top dealers and artists from the Southwest will be exhibiting at the show.

We will be bringing a special selection of Navajo Weavings, jewelry, pottery and more. The show runs from 10 until 6 on Saturday and 10 until 5 on Sunday.

We have also had many inquiries from customers interested in having us sell items for them on consignment. If you live in the area, this is a good opportunity for you to bring your pieces to the show and let's talk about what we can do!

The web site and directions to the show can be found at http://www.indianartsmarkets.com/Pasadena234.html

To reach me during the show, please call my cell at (970)946-0882.

Thank you!
Jackson Clark
Please visit our website for new inventory. Stay tuned for next month's newsletter!

Toh-Atin Gallery

New Blog!

We are excited about our new blog and we will begin posting regularly this week! Lots of good information about the Indian Arts and Crafts business and the people we work with will be coming your way!

About Toh-Atin Gallery

Toh-Atin is a Navajo word meaning “No Water.” My father, Jackson Clark Sr, named the company after a mesa just south of the Four Corners Area on the Navajo reservation. It is a powerful place of uncommon beauty at the north end of the Lukachukai Mountain range in Northern Arizona.

My father married the daughter of a trading post owner from Blanco, New Mexico, Mary Jane, and in 1957 he began to buy and sell Navajo weavings. It’s an interesting story and will eventually be included in this blog.

My sister, Antonia, and I grew up with an appreciation for the Native American crafts, for the land on which they live and for the special and unique way that they look at the earth. When we were young, a family vacation was more often than not spent driving around the west, selling Navajo weaving and Indian jewelry to shops and museum stores.

We met so many great artists from around the country, not just Navajos, but people from all tribes....and a few white guys too, that we decided the time was right to open a gallery in Durango, Colorado.

My father passed away over a decade ago and my sister ran Toh-Atin Publishing, a print and poster publisher, until last year when she sold it. She now alternates between skiing, river running and helping me run the gallery.

Our mother continues to work in the gallery every day and we both hope to be as spry and vigorous as she is as time goes on. I’ll write some blogs about her early experiences growing up around a trading post too.

I was born in Durango, went to school here and then to college at the University of Colorado. The degree I received in Journalism helped to shape my outlook on life. I learned to write and to ask questions. Both of these talents have proven useful in this business. When I was in college, I paid most of my way through school selling Navajo weaving and turquoise jewelry. I’m pretty sure one professor gave me an A because I gave him a great deal on a Two Grey Hills rug, but, if so, we both came out alright.

After college, I spent several winters as a ski instructor at the Purgatory ski area and my summers buying and selling Navajo weavings and jewelry.

I’m one of those lucky people who has never really had a real job. Of course, running any business can be hard work, as is teaching skiing when it’s below zero, but when you do what you love, it is never really work.

Along the way, I was blessed with two children who have grown to be wonderful young men. Both work with me in the business, Ed taking over much of our traveling and sales to customers on the road, and Nick setting up our social networking program.

Nick and I also work together in another business I am passionate about. You can read about that one in my personal blog. There is a link on the home page if you are interested.

The purpose of this blog is to share the stories, the knowledge, the experiences and the history of Toh-Atin Gallery, the art we carry, the artists we represent, and the people whom we have met that have shaped our view of the world.

Thank you for joining me. I am looking forward to sharing and learning as we begin this new adventure!