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Grey Dog Trading

 images/greydog.jpgThe first thing you notice when you walk into the shop is two photos of grey dogs. Kent will tell you which one was the first shop mascot and which came later. The current grey dog, he explains, 'is a really nice dog, but she's a face licker. Not all customers like to have their face licked so she's not allowed in the shop.' It's comfortable being in Grey Dog before you step more than 10 feet through the front door.

Kent has been involved in Native American art since his dad presented him with his first katsina doll at age 3. His family collected jewelry and traveled to trading posts while he was growing up so he came to know the artists and the culture very well. Kent planned to support Native Americans as a social worker when he graduated, but decided he could actually provide more direct support by growing the trading business he had started while in college.

At Grey Dog, they believe that education is key and you will get however much you want of it here. Kent provided a mini tutorial for me and showed me some differences that I had not understood before; rugs which are done in single or double diamond patterns in pastels are by weavers at Burnt Water, if they are done in reds they are from Hubble Trading Post and Ganada and grey, black, white and brown rugs are from the Two Grey Hills region.

He further pointed out that the border or frame that we see on rugs was white man's invention. Indians didn't use 'frames' around the rug pattern because they felt it would trap the weaver's creativity inside. When they weave with 'frames' they often leave a 'spirit trail' (a woven line through the border) to let the creativity escape.

Kent has written five books on fetishes, weavings and katsina dolls, and is a frequent judge at the Heard, Gallup Ceremonial and Indian Market in Santa Fe. If you are lucky, you will catch Bob Jeffries in the shop who not only is an expert in weaving, but is also a weaver himself. And Laurie McManis is an expert in jewelry and sandpaintings. They have it all covered.

If you are in or anywhere near Tucson, do yourself a favor and visit Grey Dog.

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Inventory

Grey Dog has probably the largest collection of Inuit carvings this far south. The shop also specializes in Zuni fetishes, jewelry and Navajo weavings. Fetish artists include Lance Cheama, Dee Edaakie and Ricky Laahty to name a few; Fadrian Bowannie, jeweler; Jackie Bread, beadwork. You can also find pottery, baskets, sandpaintings, katsina dolls and books.

Source Of Inventory

The vast majority of what Kent buys is from the artists directly. He does work occasionally with traders that he has established a long and trusting relationship with. He was fortunate to meet several Inuit artists from trips to their small villages in the North, and continues to receive shipments of their work.

Shop Description

 The shop is one very large room, segmented into two areas. The back area is reserved for the many weavings and the front for jewelry and fetishes. Inuit sculptures are scattered throughout. The website is full of great information and beautiful photos!