“Made by, used by, or made specifically for Native Americans” is the central theme of the live auction being held at this year’s CLA show, and the array of items being donated by our contributing CLA members include some of the finest contemporary Native American art being made today.”

Though it is not written in the by-laws or regulatory rules that I have seen for the CLA, it is a common theme near and dear to our practicing artist members that the mediums they have so patiently learned, researched, and in many cases rediscovered, be preserved and passed along to be practiced by future generations.

The theme of this year’s Fund Raising Auction, “Certifiably Native,” seems tailor made for such like minded artists to not only express that belief as they support the CLA with their donations, but to do it in a beautifully tangible and expressively traditional manner. All of this year’s auction items are created with that theme in mind, just as each item personifies the years of dedicated study and hands-on experience involved in preserving such traditions.

When European and Native American cultures first met and began to exchange ideas, materials, and even life styles, it was a true voyage of discovery for both the indigenous peoples and the newcomers. Twenty seven CLA artists have stepped forward to make and donate their art for a total of nineteen different lots. We owe a debt of gratitude to this year’s artists for dedicating themselves to preserving the material culture of those discoveries in their traditional artwork. Every item to be auctioned is made in the most historical manner, often utilizing the exact techniques and methods used to create the documented original trade items by which they were inspired. Every item will be provided with a special Certificate of Authenticity bearing testament to the traditions that link these contemporary examples of that shared culture to the “Certifiably Native” items of the past.

(NOTE): The 14th Annual Contemporary Longrifle Meeting and Show was held at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky on August 20 and 21, 2010 ; the live Fund Raising Auction was held Friday, August 20th at 4 pm.

T.C. Albert is a traditional leather worker and folk artist living and working in the historic Illinois River valley. He is author of “Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch” and a staff writer for Muzzleloader magazine, writing the “Doin’ it Yourself” column. Tim is also a contributor to Muzzle Blasts. Visit his website: http://www.thehuntingpouch.com

LIST OF PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Todd Bitler
6333 Ewen Circle
Grove City, OH 43123
Phone: (614) 305-3773
www.nativeworkshop.com

James Blake
143 Chambersburg St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 334-9444
www.whitesavagetrading.com

Roland Cadle
P.O. Box 560
Claysburg, PA 16625
Phone: (814) 312-1825 or (814) 696-1379
www.villagerestorations.com

Dave and Diane Chambers
(Please see in person at the CLA show in August)

Tom Conde
P.O. Box 155
Mouth of Wilson, VA. 24363
Phone: (276) 579-6718
www.condetrading.com

Art DeCamp
2210 Acorn Circle
Huntingdon, PA. 16652
Phone: (814) 643-6343 or (814) 386-1889
http://www.artspowderhorns.com/

Rich Dillon
703 Saturn Dr.
Effort, PA 18330
Phone: (484) 357-2874
www.dillonsflintlocks.com

Ken Gahagan
9401 Woodcrest Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (724) 713-1936
Email: kgahagan4@gmail.com

Mike Galban
P.O. Box 94
Victor, NY 14564
Phone: (585) 398-2276M

Tom Gifford
2060 Ogle Rd.
Gatlinburg, Tenn. 37738
Phone: (513) 504-6693

David Hughes
3803 Shepard Rd.
Gibsonia, PA 15044
Phone: (412) 302-9590
Email: dhughes@consolidated.net

Frank and Lally House
P.O. Box 257
Paris, KY 40361
Phone: (859) 707-5429 or (859) 707-9677

Steve Lodding
6510 West Elcampo Grande
Las Vegas, NV 89190
Phone: (702) 656-6085
Email: patentbreech1@embarqmail.com

Glenn McClain
7896 N. Bear Creek Rd.
Morgantown IN 46160-9064
Phone: (812) 597-5885

Cameron Pitkethley
72 Roxborough Dr.,
Sudbury, ON. Canada, P3E1J7
Phone: (705) 674-9588

Ian Pratt
17775 Warwick Rd.,
Marshallville, OH 44645
Phone: (330) 658-4049

John Proud
686 Sterling Park,
Courtland, NY 13045
Phone: (607) 756-2207
Email: JProud1@twcny.rr.com

Joe Seabolt
6794 Gaynor Rd.
Goshen, OH 45122
Phone: (513) 722-4321

Mike Small
41 Lodge Rd.
Hedgesville, WV 25427
Phone: (304) 754-8053
www.mspowderhorns.com

Calvin Tanner
218 U.S. Rt. 50
Bainbridge, OH 45612
Phone: (740) 634-3579

Michael J. Taylor
222 Twain Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45233
www.michaeljtaylor.com

Joe Valentin
6732 W. Marlette St.
Marlette, MI 48453
Phone: (989) 635-4177

Penny Wayne
9210 Sonora Rd.
Sonora, KY 42776
Phone: (270) 369-8474
www.kyleatherandhide.com

Shawn & Amanda Webster
435 592-5090
Email: shawn@redjacketfirearms.com