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Coyote's Paw Gallery opened in May of 1984 in a small St. Louis, Missouri storefront selling hand-made things from around the world including ethnic and tribal art and jewelry. Co-owners Alan Suits and Ann Lehman each brought their unique experience of other world cultures to the enterprise.
Intrigued as a child by the music and culture of India, Alan traveled there in his late teens to study music and be immersed in the rich traditions of Southern India. Later trips took him to Morocco and West Africa where he lived for a while and studied kora. During this time, Alan collected musical instruments and other artifacts from various world cultures, often selling some of the things he'd acquired. A degree in anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis earned after these travels added to his knowledge of world traditions.
Interest in art and Asian culture took Ann to Taiwan and Japan where she lived for three years in each place, studying language, painting and woodblock printmaking. While her work in painting and printmaking continued to develop, Ann taught English as a Second Language and also art and art history at the St. Louis Art Museum. Her many classes in art history at the University of Michigan where she earned her degree in psychology, her studio art classes and experience teaching gave her a fine appreciation for the rich diversity of art and handicrafts around the world.
An immediate success, Coyote's Paw Gallery soon expanded into its third and largest location in St. Louis while Alan & Ann explored new areas of the world, buying treasures for the gallery. In the year 2000, after sixteen years of business, the physical gallery closed and became a web business while Alan & Ann prepared for their move to Santa Fe, New Mexico in June of 2001.
Two years later a very small Coyote's Paw Gallery storefront opened in Santa Fe and again eventually expanded into its third location in Sanbusco Market Center. Over the many years since the gallery's opening, connoisseurs from all over the world have become loyal customers of the unique collections offered in the gallery. In addition, Alan has consulted and done appraisals for private individuals and institutions including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art; National Music Museum; University of Michigan - Stearns Collection; St. Louis Art Museum; Washington University, St. Louis; Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix and Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe.
At the end of February 2010, Coyote's Paw Gallery in Sanbusco closed and this new website and online store continues to offer fine quality, one-of-a-kind pieces. Alan will pursue his skill and interest in making musical instruments that include Renaissance vihuelas and lutes, sitars and Middle Eastern ouds (see Musical Instruments). Ann will expand her work in the mediums of drawing and egg tempera painting. Both will continue to be inspired by the beauty and cultural richness of the Southwest and the Santa Fe area.
Coyote's Paw Gallery can also be found at the Santa Fe flea market, The Flea. From November 2011 through April 2012, The Flea is inside at El Museo in the Santa Fe Railyard and is open Saturday and Sunday except for the weekends of Christmas and New Year's Day. Hours are Saturday 8-3, Sunday 9-3. Email us at gallery@coyotespaw.com with any questions. For more info on The Flea, please go to santafetraditionalflea.com.
Intrigued as a child by the music and culture of India, Alan traveled there in his late teens to study music and be immersed in the rich traditions of Southern India. Later trips took him to Morocco and West Africa where he lived for a while and studied kora. During this time, Alan collected musical instruments and other artifacts from various world cultures, often selling some of the things he'd acquired. A degree in anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis earned after these travels added to his knowledge of world traditions.
Interest in art and Asian culture took Ann to Taiwan and Japan where she lived for three years in each place, studying language, painting and woodblock printmaking. While her work in painting and printmaking continued to develop, Ann taught English as a Second Language and also art and art history at the St. Louis Art Museum. Her many classes in art history at the University of Michigan where she earned her degree in psychology, her studio art classes and experience teaching gave her a fine appreciation for the rich diversity of art and handicrafts around the world.
An immediate success, Coyote's Paw Gallery soon expanded into its third and largest location in St. Louis while Alan & Ann explored new areas of the world, buying treasures for the gallery. In the year 2000, after sixteen years of business, the physical gallery closed and became a web business while Alan & Ann prepared for their move to Santa Fe, New Mexico in June of 2001.
Two years later a very small Coyote's Paw Gallery storefront opened in Santa Fe and again eventually expanded into its third location in Sanbusco Market Center. Over the many years since the gallery's opening, connoisseurs from all over the world have become loyal customers of the unique collections offered in the gallery. In addition, Alan has consulted and done appraisals for private individuals and institutions including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art; National Music Museum; University of Michigan - Stearns Collection; St. Louis Art Museum; Washington University, St. Louis; Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix and Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe.
At the end of February 2010, Coyote's Paw Gallery in Sanbusco closed and this new website and online store continues to offer fine quality, one-of-a-kind pieces. Alan will pursue his skill and interest in making musical instruments that include Renaissance vihuelas and lutes, sitars and Middle Eastern ouds (see Musical Instruments). Ann will expand her work in the mediums of drawing and egg tempera painting. Both will continue to be inspired by the beauty and cultural richness of the Southwest and the Santa Fe area.
Coyote's Paw Gallery can also be found at the Santa Fe flea market, The Flea. From November 2011 through April 2012, The Flea is inside at El Museo in the Santa Fe Railyard and is open Saturday and Sunday except for the weekends of Christmas and New Year's Day. Hours are Saturday 8-3, Sunday 9-3. Email us at gallery@coyotespaw.com with any questions. For more info on The Flea, please go to santafetraditionalflea.com.