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Where: Flamingo Hotel Ballroom at 1300 N. Stone Ave (Southeast corner of Stone and Drachman).
What: A collection of Native American arts and crafts. This year [2008] boasts exceptional and exquisite pieces in jewelry, sculpture, and kachina work. There's also embossed suede pillows ($95), pottery, Zuni and Navajo jewelry, buffalo hides and skulls, primitive stone axes, beaded moccasins, framed feathers, Huichol bead art, Pendleton wool jackets, and museum quality horse-hair miniature baskets ($700-4200). This show is compact, but it packs a lot of fine art work and jewelry. If you’re interested in the subject matter of this show, you should attend. All the artisans are friendly and glad to answer your questions.
The show's coordinator, Fred Snyder, wrote Arizona Bead Dog that the show combines 10,000 years of culture of 150 tribal nations in 14 days at 1 location. He also wrote that the majority of the artists show only their own (family, community) arts & crafts at this "Indian,Indian show." He explained that most of the artisans own live-stock or have religious obligations that permit them to attend no more than 7 days; therefore, the expo changes every 3-7 days with new artists during the show's 14-day run. In addition to the items mentioned above, the show also offered a 30-year collection of rare turquoise from over 60 mines; size 16,18,20, & 22 seed beads made between 1860-1917 in "the largest color selection in the world." A Navajo gold and silversmith offered custom jewelry and repair.
Inside or Out: Being an inside show, it’s helpful when the weather turns rainy.
Tips: As always, it helps if you know something about either the artist you’re buying or the nature of the work offered. Some of the items at this show are fairly pricey for the average bargain-hunter, so having knowledge ahead of time will help you make good buying choices.
Parking: Free and close, but it’s limited on the east side of the street. Directly west is the Community College campus, and you can probably park there as well.
Food: There was a fry-bread stand set up, but it was closed when Arizona Bead Dog visited on opening day. Fred Snyder explained that due to some county permit issues (the stand had a valid Maricopa County permit), it was unable to operate this year (2008).
Rest rooms: In the hotel.
2012 show dates: Open over 2 weeks, including 3 weekends, beginning on Sunday, January 29th through Sunday, February 12th (and possibly to Tuesday, the 14th--check with the show).
2011 show hours: Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shuttle routes: To be determined.
For additional information: www.usaindianinfo.org.
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