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The Indian Craft Shop is open Monday through Friday
from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, and the third Saturday of the month from
10:00AM to 4:00PM. The Shop is closed on federal holidays.
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A photo ID is needed for entrance to the building.
During weekdays, visitors may use either the C Street or E Street
entrances (E Street is closed for Metro riders). Handicap access
ramps are available at both entrances. During Saturday hours,
visitors must use the C Street entrance.
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Farragut West (Blue and Orange Line) and Farragut
North (Red Line) are the closest metro stops. It is a six-block walk,
or you can ride an 80 or S1 bus to 19th and C streets. There is
metered parking on the street and several parking lots within a few
blocks.
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 NATIONAL
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
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The first American Indian Heritage Month was observed
in 1990, but the roots of the observance date to the early 20th
century. As early as 1915, efforts were made to have a day
established to honor the Native peoples and there was some limited
initial success in states including New York and Illinois. Since 1990
and through today, communities and organizations across the nation
honor the rich heritage and culture of American Indians during
November of each year. Native foods, arts, dances, Pow Wows,
museums, films, music and 'Rock Your Mocs Day' on November
15, (see below) are just a few ideas to explore with your
families. A visit to The Indian Craft Shop is always a great
idea, too -like a touchable museum in many ways, the Shop is a place
to experience beauty and also to learn through the arts about the
many diverse cultures of American Indians.
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As
the leaves fall from their branches and the nip in the air turns into
a true chill, we know that autumn is descending into winter and it's
time for the Shop's traditionally dynamic winter season of
overflowing shelves and showcases!
NEW CARVINGS FROM ALASKA have arrived and include seals, walruses, otters,
polar bears, hunters, masks, and a great variety of birds. Larger
pieces, carved from aged whalebone and accented with walrus tusk
ivory and whale baleen, make stunning tabletop sculptures. Carvings
range from hunt scenes to stylized or realistic animals and fanciful
creations depicting spirits and abstract concepts.
The
materials used include aged whalebone, walrus tusk ivory, whale
baleen, seal or polar bear fur, and occasionally feathers or antler.
Details also can be added using sgraffito (a process where engravings
are made into the surface of an object), with ink then added to
highlight the pattern.
Traditionally
found among Alaskan peoples such as the Inupiat and Yupik, these
carvings are an important part of village life. Not only does the art
of carving provide a very necessary income, it also serves to share
the history and culture of people maintaining a traditional lifestyle
in harsh environments. Learn more about the arts of Alaska and
see a sampling of our selection on our online store.
After
a successful fall purchasing trip, packages have been arriving daily
with new and exciting treasures. NEW POTTERY FROM THE SOUTHWEST
now fills our cases in both traditional and contemporary
styles. Jars, vases, mudhead, koshare and storyteller figures,
and even a few nativity scenes can be found from new and established
artists. From finely polished pottery with intricate sgraffito designs
to small and large dough bowls with traditional broad geometric
patterns, there is sure to be a piece to add to your own collection
or to someone else's as a gift.
JEWELRY IS ALWAYS A HIGHLIGHT! New pieces are arriving and filling our cases.
Classic stamped silverwork, contemporary overlay and tufa cast
jewelry, mosaic inlay, channel inlay, handmade beads in silver, stone
and shell... our cases are simply sparkling with a glorious array of
colors and styles. We are constantly amazed at the talent of many of
the longtime artists we've represented as well ones who are newer to
the Shop. We welcome Ronnie Henry's (Navajo) work, and that of Adrian
Wall (Jemez), who is most known for his stone and glass sculpture but
who also creates beautifully etched glass earrings.
 
A substantial number of NEW
FETISH CARVINGS will be marching into the Shop soon
to supplement our already extensive collection that includes eagles,
bears, badgers, mountain lions, wolves and moles along with a variety
of carvings of birds, horses, bison, lizards, snakes, beavers, corn
maidens and so much more! So many animals, so many styles, so many
materials, there is sure to be a new carving to add a spark to your
own collection or to give as a gift to someone on your list.
OUR ONLINE STORE
You
can imagine with all the new work coming in it's absolutely best if
you can come into the Shop to see our complete selection. We are
working to add new items to the online store and you can also
check out our New Additions page. In the meantime,
if you are from afar and not able to visit, please let us know if you
would like images sent of any particular interest or if we can help
in any way - just give us a call at 202-208-4056 or email indiancraftshop@guestservices.com
and we'll be happy to help!
It's "Rock Your Mocs Day" on November 15th,
a day that has been organized to encourage Native people across the
world to wear their moccasins all day as a way to recognize Tribal
individuality and celebrate National Native American Heritage Month.
We hope everyone has a wonderful Rock Your Mocs day and we look
forward to seeing all the pictures! Visit for more information and to post/view
photos.
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REMINDER - OPEN SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 15th, 2014
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The
Indian Craft Shop is open the third Saturday of each month. We
hope that you will be able to join us this Saturday, November 15th
from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
We wish all of you a wonderful month of November
and
look forward to seeing you soon.
Thank you for your continued support of the
arts!
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NEWS
FROM THE INTERIOR MUSEUM
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From Sunken Ships to Submerged Paleolandscapes
Wednesday,
December 3rd, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m., Rachel Carson Room
Archaeologists William Hoffman and Brandi Carrier from the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs will
discuss the historic preservation program and highlight recent
offshore research into shipwrecks and pre-contact archaeological
sites in the Atlantic Ocean.
On
the Front Lines: The Impact of Climate Change in the Freely
Associated States of Micronesia
Thursday,
December 11th, 1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m., South Interior Building
Auditorium
Esther Kia'aina, Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, U.S.
Department of the Interior, facilitates a panel discussion among the
Ambassadors to the United States from the Republic of the Marshall
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of
Palau on the climate change challenges facing these Pacific island
nations ranging from sea level rise to food security.
POSTERity: WPA's Art Legacy and America's Public Lands
On
view April 8, 2014 - Spring 2015
From 1938 to 1941, the National Park Service employed
artists via the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to produce silk
screened promotional posters for national park sites. The U.S.
Department of the Interior Museum has united for the first time six
WPA originals and a full complement of the contemporary designs by
Doug Leen which follow the tradition of the WPA poster project, for
this visually stunning retrospective. Featured are nearly 50 classic
posters associated with 36 national parks, the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge and the Interior Museum.
Many
visitors have inquired whether the images within the Interior
Museum's POSTERity
exhibition are commercially available. Yes! Ranger Doug's
Enterprises (www.rangerdoug.com) is the source
for faithful silkscreen reproductions of WPA National Park
serigraphs. Note cards and postcards are also available. Products
from Ranger Doug's Enterprises are 100% made in the USA, and the
company annually donates 1% of its gross sales back to the National
Parks.
ART AND MURAL TOURS
Discover
the art and architecture that made the Main Interior Building a
"symbol of a new day" during the Great Depression. The
Interior Museum Murals Tour lasts an hour and visits photographic
murals by Ansel Adams and many of the over fifty murals by artists
including Maynard Dixon, Allan Houser, Gifford Beal, and John Steuart
Curry.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. and by appointment
for groups over six. Reservations required for all tours by calling
202-208-4743.
Special
Assistance - For those in need of special assistance (such as an
interpreter for the hearing impaired) or inquiries regarding the
accessible entrance, please notify museum staff at 202-208-4743 in
advance of the program. Special needs will be accommodated
whenever possible.
The
Interior Museum - For more information
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