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The Marin Indian Art Show

by Alice Kaufman

Even though the weather was summery for the 19th annual Marin Indian Art Show on February 22 and 23 in San Rafael, California, the mood of many exhibitors and collectors was not as sunny. Just weeks before what many believed would be the start of war with Iraq, the impending war, stock market woes, and the sluggish and troubling economy made buyers and sellers apprehensive.

That, however, didn't stop most dealers from bringing their best material to the show. Commenting on the quality of the blankets, rugs, baskets, and more available for purchase, Taos dealer Robert Parsons told M.A.D., "This material is getting rarer and rarer. People should clamor around and buy it."

"The objects are rarer than dollars to buy," added Denver dealer Lewis Bobrick.

Some collectors seemed to agree with Bobrick and Parsons, but some did not, and not every dealer had a great—or even good—show. Santa Fe dealer Mark Winter said he found sales off and general enthusiasm down. "In a time of uncertainty," he said, "people are cautious, and I don't blame them." Santa Fe dealer Sandra VanLandingham said she thought collectors were "playing their cards close to the vest, reflecting the insecurity of the country until they know what's going on. People don't seem prepared to spend what they usually do here."

"Things aren't what they used to be when the Democrats were running the country," said John Molloy of Santa Fe's Spanish and Indian Trading Company. "As Harry Truman said," Molloy continued, "if you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic."

Sales at the show were not the whole story—and sometimes not the story at all. As usual, for the exhibitors and for some of the more serious collectors, a lot of buying, selling, and trading was going on behind the scenes. At the Embassy Suites Hotel, temporary home to most of the visiting exhibitors, some of the dealers' rooms looked like mini-galleries and trading posts. The doors were open, and the dealers were more than ready for business. In addition, mostly dealer-to-dealer business was going on in the aisles of the show and out of car trunks in the hotel parking lot.

Show producer Kim Martindale's expectations for the show were, he said, twofold. "I was hoping for the best, but given the world's condition, I was apprehensive. But about seventy-five percent of the exhibitors told me they had good to very good shows. Saturday's attendance was up from 2002, and although Sunday's attendance was down a bit from last year, the people who did come on Sunday seemed to have come to buy."

Martindale's next American Indian art show will be in Santa Monica on May 31 and June 1. In 2004, the Marin show will be held on February 21 and 22. For more information, call K.R. Martindale Show Management at (800) 656-9278 or visit the firm's Web site (www.americanindianartshow.com).