Thirty Years!

Celebrating 30 Years of Rainmaker Gallery!

May 07, 2021

Celebrating Thirty Years of Rainmaker Gallery!

Rainmaker Gallery is 30! We first opened our doors on May 9th 1991. Heartfelt thanks to the artists, colleagues and collaborators who have been involved in the success of Rainmaker, from our early years in Manchester through to our current Bristol incarnation. 

As a valued customer, we send you sincere thanks for supporting and empowering us to bring Native artists to the attention of a wider audience. We simply could not have survived and thrived for thirty years, through good times, recessions and now a pandemic, without your appreciation and active support. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey!

WAKEAH ©CaraRomeroPhotography, now at MoMA, NY

Spring 2021

This year we continue with a cycle of group shows celebrating the seasons through colour. Our spring exhibition is filled with blossom pinks, sunshine yellows and joyful spring greens. Throughout the year we aim to include works from as many of the artists we have had the privilege to work with as we can.Currently featured artists include: the star of our early days Hopi & Choctaw painter Dan Lomahaftewa, his celebrated sister Linda Lomhaftewa, artist and founder of First American Art magazine America Meredith, photographer/digital artist Debra Yepa-Pappan, Crow painter Del Curfman, Navajo/Diné artist Monty Little, self-taught success story Phillip Vigil, Laguna Pueblo painter Marla Allison and the wonderful Jason Wesaw.

The above photographic image 'Wakeah', from the First American Girl series by Cara Romero, has recently been acquired by MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art, NY) and is also on show in our spring exhibition! I am so thrilled that Cara has the recognition she deserves and we are honoured to have had the opportunity to show her amazing fine art photography continuously since 2012.Congratulations Cara Romero!Another amazing Rainmaker artist has been in the spotlight recently. March 16th 2021 was a monumental day for Indigenous people as Deb Haaland from Laguna Pueblo became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. For the occasion of her swearing-in as United States Secretary of the Interior she chose to wear a pair of titanium dragonfly earrings by master metalsmith Pat Pruitt! There is a fine selection of Pat Pruitt jewellery on show in the gallery and also on the website.

Abalone earrings by Leah Mata, Northern Chumash, CA.

What else is new?

To complement the spring exhibition we have a new range of fabulous abalone jewellery from Leah Mata. These featured 

 are traditional and fun with a cool, contemporary twist - love them!

New from metalsmith Chris Pruitt (younger brother to Pat) we have exquisite

and silver

. In addition, Jemez Pueblo silversmith Allen Bruce Paquin has sent us an impressive array of stamped silver and copper bracelets and rings.

The gallery is now fully stocked with 

and we have a splendid selection of

 - perfect for cool evenings socialising in the garden.

Gallery visits

It is such a joy to be back in the gallery after a year of lockdowns and social distancing. We are now open for visitors Tuesday through Saturday (closed at lunch time on weekdays). If you are making a special journey to visit us please get in touch. I would hate to miss you!

I trust that before the year is out we will host an anniversary celebration. Meanwhile please drop by to say hello and enjoy the art on show.

Thanks again for making Rainmaker Gallery possible for the past 30 years and many more to come!

with love,

Jo xx