Thank you for visiting A Gallery of Nations. This is an independent, educational resource about Native American art traditions — not a shop or gallery — so we do not sell, appraise, or authenticate individual pieces. What we can do is answer questions about the subjects covered here, receive corrections, and point you toward the museums and cultural authorities best able to help.
What We Can Help With
- Questions about the art traditions and history described on this site.
- Corrections or clarifications to our guides — we welcome them.
- Suggestions for topics you would like to see covered.
- Where to learn more from museums, tribal enterprises, and reputable sources.
Looking to Buy or Authenticate?
If you are seeking to purchase authentic Native American art or verify a piece you own, the best resources are the artists and communities themselves, established galleries, and tribal enterprises. The federal Indian Arts and Crafts Board publishes consumer guidance and maintains information on buying genuine Native-made work — start there for authenticity questions.
Where to See These Traditions in Person
Nothing replaces standing before the real thing. If you can, visit the institutions whose collections and scholarship inform this resource. The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, and the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff each hold outstanding collections and mount exhibitions in partnership with Native communities. Many pueblos and nations also welcome respectful visitors and operate their own cultural centers and artist cooperatives — the surest way to meet the living traditions at their source.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Board announced America 250 exhibitions at the Southern Plains Indian Museum, Sioux Indian Museum and Museum of the Plains Indian, scheduled for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. They honor Tribal traditions and contemporary artistry.
At Mesa Verde, a December 2025 National Park Service account describes tribal participation in redesign decisions and plans for exhibit installation in Fall 2027.
About This Resource
The articles introduce artistic forms, materials and cultural contexts, with an emphasis on learning from museums, tribal cultural centers and artists’ own public work. They are educational overviews rather than appraisals, sales listings or authentication services.
Prefer to keep reading? Return to the homepage or explore our overview of the nations.