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Tribal Arts in the News from The Spectrum
Southern Utah’s daily newspaper
By LISA LARSON |
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For customers from the West Coast to the Midwest and right here in Southern Utah, the Native American art represented at Tribal Arts in Springdale is some of the best.
"I love that store," said Greg Luteff of San Francisco.
Luteff said he visits Tribal Arts as often as occasion permits, usually once or twice a year, in search of Hopi dolls to add to his collection and other Native American art.
Liz Yegerlehner from Carmel, Ind., said she and her sister go into Tribal Arts "and we just don't come out."
And whenever Irene Monk has someone visiting at her St. George home she always takes them to Springdale to check out Tribal Arts.
Located on Zion Park Boulevard not far from the entrance to Zion National Park, Tribal Arts is home to the work of Native American sculptors, painters, weavers, basket makers, carvers, jewelers and more. But one thing that makes this shop unique in the eyes of several customers is the knowledge owner Dawnita Udall has to share about the art within the gallery.
On one of their first visits, Udall introduced Yegerlehner and her sister to handmade Mata Ortiz pottery.
"She has a very non-invasive way with you," Yegerlehner said. "She just showed the artist to us and suggested we take this book to the hotel. I started reading the book and I was back there the next day."
Learning about the delicate art and its rich history made Yegerlehner even more excited to collect it.
"Once you know about it you won't settle for anything else," she said.
The art within the gallery is separated by media as well as by Native American tribe. Udall is more than willing to explain the difference between the sections of pottery - some is all handmade while the other is only hand etched and painted - and the variations between each tribes' jewelry.
"We try to represent the cultures with dignity and integrity," Udall said, though she admits it is impossible to fully understand a culture if you were not raised in it. "We do the best we can with our Anglo eyes."
The gallery itself resembles a gift shop with jewelry cases in the center of the floor and various other art hung or displayed on the perimeter. But patrons to Tribal Arts say it is much more than a souvenir shop.
"Hands down it's the best Indian arts gallery in the Southwest," said Luteff, who travels extensively to find authentic pieces of art.
Authenticity is an issue for many buyers because much of the competition is selling imported pieces rather than real Native American art. Udall provides her customers with certificates of authenticity and works to buy only from artists whom she trusts.
You can be assured you're getting the real thing at Tribal Arts, Luteff said.
Because every customer's taste in art is so individual, it is difficult to point out a highlight or "most popular" item inside the gallery. Still, Udall spent time Tuesday explaining the cultural significance of the Katsina dolls (more commonly called Kachina) and the differences in each tribes' jewelry-making styles.
The Navajo worked with silver and large stones, she said, while the Hopi used mostly just silver. The Hopi symbols look somewhat contemporary but in fact they are ancient symbols.
Some of the "most authentic" jewelry in Udall's mind is the Santo Domingo Pueblo necklaces with handcrafted beads. They usually run around $145, but when you consider how much time went into creating it, it's very inexpensive, Udall said.
For those who are not interested in jewelry, there are figurines and statues carved from alabaster, Zapotec rugs, Katsina dolls, paintings, dream catchers, Kokopelli and more. It all depends on "what speaks to you."
Dawni always asks "does this speak to you?" said Yegerlehner. If it does, then it's great.
Once you fall in love with a piece it will be important to you for your entire life, Udall said.
In order to accommodate her nationwide clientele, Tribal Arts is also located on the Internet where Udall said there are more than 500 artists represented.
Tribal Arts is located at 291 Zion Park Blvd. or at www.TribalArtsZion.com on the Internet. For more information, call 772-3353.
Originally published March 16, 2007
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