Staff Reports | Community Updates
King Galleries will mark its 30th anniversary with a celebration Saturday, Oct. 24, at its Scottsdale gallery, bringing together artists, collectors and longtime supporters.
Founded by Charles King in 1996, the gallery specializes in contemporary and historic Indigenous pottery and represents artists working in Pueblo, Hopi and Navajo pottery and other forms of contemporary Native art, according to a press release.
“Thirty years is an extraordinary milestone, but for me, it has always been about the artists,” King Galleries founder Charles King said. “I have been fortunate to build relationships with generations of artists and families, and I am grateful for the trust they have placed in me. The gallery exists because of their creativity, their knowledge, and their willingness to share their work with the world.”
The anniversary exhibition will feature works representing artists Mr. King has worked with throughout his career, as well as artists who have joined the gallery in recent years. Participating artists include Dolores Curran, Mavasta Honyouti, Steve Lucas, Jeff Suina, Tammy Garcia, Jared Tso, Daniel Begay and Jennifer Tafoya.
Mr. King has spent three decades working with Native artists and their communities, with an emphasis on Pueblo, Hopi and Navajo pottery. His work has included presenting established and emerging artists and helping collectors learn about the artists, histories and cultural traditions represented in their work.
Mr. King grew up in Estes Park, Colorado, and worked at his parents’ gallery, Serendipity Trading, while in high school. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and a Master of Business Administration from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. After working overseas, Mr. King opened King Galleries in 1996.
“I am pleased to represent the Pueblo pottery of many of today’s leading potters,” Mr. King says. “Over the years we have taken the time to get to know each of our gallery artists. As each new piece comes into the gallery, we talk with the artist and find out about the time and thought that goes into their work. It is important with contemporary pottery to understand the designs and motivation of the artist and their work. Over time, we feel as if we not only have a business relationship with most of the potters, but also a friendship.”
Mr. King also has written several books on Native art and pottery, including “Born of Fire: The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya” in 2008; “The Art and Life of Tony Da,” co-written with Richard Spivey, in 2011; “Virgil Ortiz: Revolt 1680/2180”; “Spoken Through Clay: Native Pottery of the Southwest”; and “Maria and Modernism” in 2024.
Several artists represented by King Galleries recently received awards at Native art events. Jared Tso (Diné) won Best of Pottery at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, while Sergio Lugo (Santa Clara Pueblo) received Best of Pottery and Best of Show at the Santa Fe Indian Market. Nearly 20 artists represented by the gallery received awards at the two events.
“Our Indian Market show was so much fun,” Mr. King says. “It was an awe-inspiring event with hundreds in attendance. The new works represented were beautiful and creatively designed. I’m always so honored to have such amazing artwork in the gallery representing the very best of Native Art.”
