Kiva Gallery has been owned by Nello and Shan Guadagnoli for over 40 years. It started when area artists would come into Mullarky Photo Shop (also owned by the Guadagnolis) to buy art supplies. Nello began to buy their paintings and showing them in the studio. The colorful artistic displays were an immediate hit. In fact, the paintings were coming off the walls as soon as they went up because artistic patrons recognized the value in purchasing them! Nello realized that he was an art dealer, and has been happy about the art business, ever since. Nello passed away in 2005, but the spirit of excellence goes on.
The Guadagnolis are very selective about the art they carry. The goal was to feature only the "cream of the crop" of the area's local artists. And, this factored heavily into Nello's decision to specialize in the high-end of the art field and forgo the "bargain" pieces, and also taking into account the limited space in the studio.
Kiva Gallery has grown steadily over the last 45 years and has acquired loyal customers all over the United States and the World. The Gallery ships nearly 90% of the artwork sold in the local area. In 1996 they produced the first catalog and had great success with it and subsequent additions to it.
We would like to hear from you if you have any questions about our art. Besides original paintings, we also carry fine Pueblo pottery, exquisite one-piece carved kachinas, and authentic Navajo rugs. In addition, we carry limited-edition prints of Jim Abeita's paintings that we can sell framed or unframed. For information on the prints or our catalog please call us toll-free 800-338-2140 or e-mail us.
If you are visiting Gallup, please stop by, see us and our fine art. We are located on Historic Highway 66 and 2nd Street in downtown Gallup next to Mullarky Camera Shop. If you have the time ask to see "The Vault" where they keep the art that will not fit in the gallery.
