Wright's Indian Art > About Us

Over 100 years ago, young Charles Wright of Kansas hitched up his team and rode off toward the Western sunset to seek his fortune. He set up the Indian Shop at Fred Harvey's hotels in Albuquerque and at the Grand Canyon, opened his own trading post on the Navajo reservation, and finally moved his family back to the city, opening El Curio, Wright's Indian Trading Post, in downtown Albuquerque, in 1907. Since its origin as Wright's Trading Post and Curios, the business has mirrored the development of Albuquerque, evolving from frontier trading post to metropolitan gallery under the aegis of only two owners and their families.

Kathryn Wright ran the business until the early 1950's, when she sold it to the current family - the only change in ownership in 102 years. Sam and Marguerite Chernoff epitomized the wonderful interweaving of cultures that makes New Mexico so special: She, born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to the French consul and his Swiss wife; he, a Russian immigrant there. They had four children before the family arrived in Albuquerque and found themselves involved in Native American art. It's hard to get more diverse! They looked, listened, learned, and gradually developed their own inventory, establishing solid friendships with artists such as Maria Martinez and Pablita Velarde.

Their son-in-law, Wayne Bobrick, the present director, has zealously maintained the Chernoffs' passion and stringently high standards. "We buy as if we were keeping each piece ourselves. Our customers trust us to be as careful and choosy as they are," he says. Wright's is delighted to bring the new generation of excitingly creative young artists to the public's attention. Decades of loyal clients have relied on Wright's for uncompromising authenticity, quality, value, and truly personal service. Wright's has one of the largest inventories of any Indian business in the Southwest - so if you spend $12 or $12,000 your gift will be treasured and appreciated. For any celebration, Wright's is sure to have the perfect gift. If you would like to use layaway for that special piece, just let us know. Don't see exactly the right thing on this web site? Just e-mail us, and we will send digital photos.