Post by Moon Seeker on Jul 22, 2009 17:19:33 GMT -5
Show to feature jewelry, baskets and more
By LAUREN ROMANO
VIEW STAFF WRITER
Eric Anderson is bringing the culture of the Navajo Indian Reservation to Henderson with Anderson's Americana Indian and Western Show.
"What we're doing is bringing the reservation to people who can't get out here," Anderson said. "We want people to see the art and items made by people living on the reservation."
Anderson said most people don't visit reservations, so their knowledge of Native American art is limited. He enjoys bringing the culture around the country.
In the 1940s, Anderson's great-uncle had a trading post in Arizona where his father and uncles worked for a year. They left the business and pursued other careers but never forgot their time working at the trading post.
"They got addicted to the Indian jewelry, art and rugs," Anderson said.
So, in the 1970s, the brothers brought the trading post and started Anderson's Americana Indian and Western Shows.
The show has toured through Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana and New Hampshire.
Anderson has worked with the business for as long as he can remember and took over operations about a year ago.
The show features thousands of Native American and Southwestern items, including turquoise, silver and other jewelry, kachinas, Navajo rugs, paintings and baskets.
"We carry everything from the inexpensive to the top of the line," Anderson said. "People get a good representation of all the cultures."
Items range from $5 to more than $5,000.
The Americana Indian and Western Show has been a staple in Henderson for about 10 years and in Southern Nevada for almost four decades.
Anderson said he loves coming to Henderson because he gets a great turnout. And it's a lot closer to home than his other shows. He said he used to bring the show to Southern Nevada about four times a year, but now it's down to twice a year.
This is the only show this year because there were plans to close the Henderson Convention Center, where the show is held each year, for remodelling. Henderson had to put the plans on hold because of budget cuts. So, the show will take place Friday through Sunday and will be back again in March.
Andrea Primo, director of the city's Cultural Arts and Tourism Department, said Anderson's Americana Indian and Western Show is a great example of return business to the Downtown Redevelopment Area and the Henderson Convention Center.
"Organizers and participants alike find many advantages to holding and attending events at the Henderson Convention Center," Primo said. "The venue's affordability, convenient location and friendly staff are some of the key components for attracting return customers. At the same time, shows hosted at the Henderson Convention Center provide a positive economic impact to the Water Street District businesses."
The show will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday , from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St.
For information, call 267-2171 or visit www.americana.net.
Contact Henderson View reporter Lauren Romano at lromano@viewnews.com or 477-3839.
www.viewnews.com/2009/VIEW-Jul-21-Tue-2009/anthem/30057278.html
By LAUREN ROMANO
VIEW STAFF WRITER
Eric Anderson is bringing the culture of the Navajo Indian Reservation to Henderson with Anderson's Americana Indian and Western Show.
"What we're doing is bringing the reservation to people who can't get out here," Anderson said. "We want people to see the art and items made by people living on the reservation."
Anderson said most people don't visit reservations, so their knowledge of Native American art is limited. He enjoys bringing the culture around the country.
In the 1940s, Anderson's great-uncle had a trading post in Arizona where his father and uncles worked for a year. They left the business and pursued other careers but never forgot their time working at the trading post.
"They got addicted to the Indian jewelry, art and rugs," Anderson said.
So, in the 1970s, the brothers brought the trading post and started Anderson's Americana Indian and Western Shows.
The show has toured through Nevada, Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Indiana and New Hampshire.
Anderson has worked with the business for as long as he can remember and took over operations about a year ago.
The show features thousands of Native American and Southwestern items, including turquoise, silver and other jewelry, kachinas, Navajo rugs, paintings and baskets.
"We carry everything from the inexpensive to the top of the line," Anderson said. "People get a good representation of all the cultures."
Items range from $5 to more than $5,000.
The Americana Indian and Western Show has been a staple in Henderson for about 10 years and in Southern Nevada for almost four decades.
Anderson said he loves coming to Henderson because he gets a great turnout. And it's a lot closer to home than his other shows. He said he used to bring the show to Southern Nevada about four times a year, but now it's down to twice a year.
This is the only show this year because there were plans to close the Henderson Convention Center, where the show is held each year, for remodelling. Henderson had to put the plans on hold because of budget cuts. So, the show will take place Friday through Sunday and will be back again in March.
Andrea Primo, director of the city's Cultural Arts and Tourism Department, said Anderson's Americana Indian and Western Show is a great example of return business to the Downtown Redevelopment Area and the Henderson Convention Center.
"Organizers and participants alike find many advantages to holding and attending events at the Henderson Convention Center," Primo said. "The venue's affordability, convenient location and friendly staff are some of the key components for attracting return customers. At the same time, shows hosted at the Henderson Convention Center provide a positive economic impact to the Water Street District businesses."
The show will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday , from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water St.
For information, call 267-2171 or visit www.americana.net.
Contact Henderson View reporter Lauren Romano at lromano@viewnews.com or 477-3839.
www.viewnews.com/2009/VIEW-Jul-21-Tue-2009/anthem/30057278.html