Category: “The Wright Stuff” Native Art Blog

Welcome to the auction for the 2020 Inaugural Summer Grant Contest!

We had an overwhelming show of support for our young artists during the voting, and as a result, we had an EXACT TIE!!! What does that mean for you?  Well, it means that you get to bid for a chance to win one (or both) of these exceptional paintings!!!

The winning bids will support multiple charitable endeavors within the artist’s communities.  The goal of this grant and art contest is to help young Native American artists know that they are supported, and encourage them to take the next steps in their art careers. Not only do the artists themselves benefit from the grant contest (winners get $1000 to spend on art supplies and education), but they get a chance to positively impact the Native American population in the communities in which they live.  

Thank you for your support, for sharing this with others, and for bidding on these amazing pieces!

Good Luck!!!

Click here to bid on Kyle’s painting.

Click here to bid on Adrian’s painting.

We have reached the second round of voting (click to vote) to determine the winner of our Inaugural $1000 Artist Grant!

The winning piece will be auctioned off for charitable giving that directly benefits the Native American population in the community where the winning artist resides. So we asked each finalist where they would like to see the funds raised by their work allocated. Here are there replies:

Hesci! My name is Georgia Adeline Harjo, I represent the Seminole, Mvskoke, Chahta, and Cheyenne nations, and I’m a student at Sovereign Community School located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

I’m so glad to be one of the top three, I’m very honored to be next to these amazing artists. I loved everyone’s entries! I’m extremely thankful for the support from my family and community, I really appreciate you all.
If I were to win, I would donate the proceeds to the indigenous youth at my school, to start a library or community garden.

I believe reading is knowledge, and there are many indigenous authors and books that can impact our future. Starting a library would benefit our students with resources they may need or want so that they have trouble-free access to learning materials.

With a garden, we can do seed trade, and bring traditional plants from the many nations represented in our community. It can bring us together to continue on food sovereignty and reconnect with the earth in a natural way. 

Georgia Adeline Harjo – to vote for Georgia click here.

Water is life. Water is very powerful and is essential for us to live. Water is very sacred and very scarce on the Navajo Reservation.

In the area I am from there is a severe drought effecting many communities like Indian Wells, Dilkon, Leupp, and Seba Dalkai. My mother and fathers reservation do not have running water so it has to be hauled from a water source. I have spent summers out home and had to help with this task. There are many others who don’t have running water and I would like to help them. I would donate to the Water Warrior’s United because they have been hard at work helping those who are not able to get water. We need to continue to support those who are hard at work to help others.

Many Navajo’s on the reservation do not have the luxury of turning on a faucet. We have to go out to haul water for ceremonies, livestock and our everyday lives. I pray one day we will no longer be overlooked and we may have the resources to have something people take for granted. Tóh’ íína’.

Adrian Apachito – to vote for Adrian click here.

We are thrilled by the artwork and the HEART of these Young Artists. No matter who wins, we know all 3 have done great work for their communities. Help us choose the winner by voting here!

Wright’s Indian Art, our loyal Patrons, and our Community Partners are thrilled to announce the debut of

The Native Arts Community Grant
Presented by Wright’s Indian Art and Friends

And we are now CALLING ALL NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH ARTISTS under the age of 18 to express interest in our Inaugural Summer 2020 Grant Contest!

On August 1st we will reveal the theme for the contest. You will have 72 hours to document and create your art. All submissions received by the specified date and time will be shared on Wright’s Facebook page, an audience of over 10,000, for voting.

The three finalists will then go to the second round of voting to determine the winner of the grant.

The winning piece will be auctioned off for charitable giving that directly benefits the Native American population in the community where the winning artist resides.

It is our hope and goal in the midst of this pandemic to highlight artists, give them initiative and work on a project, and help share the awareness for the skill, talent, and beauty of Native art. Our goal is to continue this program long into the future but we have never felt more called to launch than right now.

Contact us with any questions not answered here.

Artists can apply here.

How does Wright’s acquire art?

Wright’s purchases handmade, one-of-a-kind art directly from the artists. We have strong relationships, some as long as five generations within a single family of artists. These relationships ensure a level of trust and respect on both sides, allowing us the pleasure to support these amazing artists directly and bring their work to you!

Why is art priced so high?

Every piece is priced with the artists’ feedback. We strive to honor every artist we work with by pricing their work fairly, and in line with their own personal preferences. Everything we carry is handmade and one-of-a-kind, never mass-produced, and the prices will always reflect the nature of the work.

Do you take custom orders?

Wright’s is able to take custom order requests provided that the desired artist is interested in fulfilling the request. We require half of the total cost as a non-refundable down payment when the order is placed, with the other half of the total cost due upon completion of the order. Store credit in the full amount owed, and with no expiration, is issued to the customer if the order is not completed for any reason. We love helping our clients partner with an artist for something especially unique and personal!

Do you ship anywhere?

Wright’s ships all around the world.

How do you determine packing and shipping costs?

Shipping costs, through our providers, are passed directly onto you, so that you may take advantage of our discounted rates. Packing is done professionally through the gallery or a vetted third party, and the cost is passed directly onto you. The costs associated with packing and shipping are quoted to you at our actual cost rounded to the next whole dollar.

Do you do appraisals?

Wright’s does not offer appraisal services, however, we are able to strongly recommend multiple appraisers based on reputation/relationships and your specific needs.

Do you sell estate and vintage jewelry?

Wright’s sells what we have purchased or consigned from artists. We do not sell estate jewelry, as we prefer to support living, working artists directly. Some of our pieces are vintage, though we purchased them as new at the time we acquired them.

We want you to learn more about us! This blog will serve as a space to share more about Wright’s, to help you learn about the art and artists, and hopefully, to help you make a special connection and find that perfect piece that speaks to you!

Why shop at Wright’s?

With over 110 years (yes really) serving the community, we’ve seen and learned so much. We are honored to host one of the largest and most varied inventories of Native art in the Southwest. We primarily serve individual collectors and we are eager to grow new generations of supporters of these incredible artists. Many of the artists are renowned, honored, and certified in the art they create. We work diligently on their behalf in order to help them with exposure, and they, in turn, are able to focus on creating art that in some cases even sustains their tribes and entire families. When you purchase from Wright’s you are guaranteeing the art is more than beautiful, it’s an investment in these amazing Native artists and their communities, including the up-and-coming generations of artists.

We are 

• Friendly, and happy to meet anyone that visits the store or inquires online or over the phone. We will always take the time needed to ensure that you are making a positive decision that feels right!

• Educated, and can answer questions that will help you make a connection with the perfect piece!

• Trustworthy, as we only purchase high quality and verified authentic pieces.

• Respectful, and honor the light and spirit in each creation and the artist and tribal affiliation represented in each piece of art.

• Excited, and looking forward to hearing from you!

We carry and sell one-of-a-kind, authentic, Native American Art that we buy directly from the artist. We don’t purchase pawn, do appraisals, or purchase anything on the secondary market, as our belief is that our support should go toward the artists of today so that they may continue working and teaching future generations. We have relationships and friendships with each of the artists we carry and truly think of Wright’s as a family.

We are happy to share this beauty with you and look forward to welcoming you to our family!