I can’t tell you how gratified I am for the special event sponsored by the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 10, 2009 to recognize the contributions of three individuals to American Indian art over the decades.

The three honorees at the Hotel Santa Fe event were Ruth and Sidney Schultz, and yours truly.  I am especially proud that this recognition originated with the museum since it, as much or more than any other institution in this region, has conducted a wide range of programs all aimed at enhancing public appreciation for the wondrous diversity and innovation of Southwestern American Indian art.  Over the past fifteen years, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the  Wheelwright Museum, both as a guest art curator of Southwestern American Indian pottery and jewelry exhibitions, and as an author of publications celebrating the careers of important American Indian artists such as Charles Loloma and Dextra Quotskuyva.

As different dealers, scholars, and American Indian artists, that I've worked with, stood up to honor me with short speeches of appreciation, I felt truly touched, and tears came to my eyes.  Fortunately, I was able to obtain a video tape of American Indian jewelers Darrell Jumbo, Norbert Peshlakai, Gail Bird and Darryl Begay honoring me.  In addition, American Indian art dealers and scholars, Robert Gallegos and Robert Bauver are on this precious video tape as well.   

As if the October 10 event were not enough, Jonathan Batkin, director of the Wheelwright Museum has announced plans to build the Martha Hopkins Struever Jewelry Gallery at the Museum.  This new exhibition space will be of special importance to the Wheelwright since, in recent years, the museum has become the repository of exceptionally important collections of American Indian jewelry.   After years in the American Indian art world, I am absolutely honored to have an American Indian jewelry exhibition space named after me!

As I enter my 35th year as a specialist in Southwestern American Indian art, I will continue to identify rising Native artists, and to seek more collector recognition for their work while also representing established American Indian artists, many of whom I’ve known for three decades or more.  This has been, and continues to be, “my calling.”