Nakai Indian Art — Local services in Holbrook

Coming back from Phoenix and took the scenic route to Rt. 40. Ended up going through Holbrook and I saw this Indian Gallery out of the corner of my eye. My inner voice said “turn around and go to the store.” So, I turned back around and went to the store but it was closed. I had 8 hours more driving, so I told myself I have to get back on the road.

Suddenly, I was drawn to a note on the door that had a barely legible phone number on it. Again, my inner voice said “CALL THE NUMBER!” Rarely, listening to my inner voice, I decided to call the number. A man answered the phone and said he’d meet me in 10 min. I said ok, twiddled my thumbs and waited. Shortly thereafter as promised, a handsome man of distinguished appearance came out and introduced himself as Nakai and shook my hand. Three hours later I became a child-like student and Nakai was my teacher.

Amazed and utterly overwhelmed by his knowledge and gracious sharing of Indian art and history, I soon realized I was in the once in a life-time “moment” that would be with me for the rest of my life. Some experiences are meant only to be shared between those that were apart of that experience, so I’ll just leave it at that. I will never buy my art anywhere except from Nakai. His relationship and knowledge with the Indian culture is surpassed by any other dealer. Reason? He is the living story and artistic expression of the art he sells.

Nakia is the ART. Thank you Nakai for creating a beautiful moment in...

Mr. Prater, I had the almost exact same experience, as you detail in your review. It was a Sunday, Holbrook is always my halfway stop, driving I-40. I wanted to get my wife and daughter some silver/turquoise , but not anything'touristy'. I grew up over by Gallup, so I kind of knew what I was looking for. I asked the clerk at the motel , where I could get, non- touristy jewelry...on a Sunday. She directed me to Nakai Leo's, "across the street from the old courthouse". ...I called the number on the door, Mr .Nakai was there in a short bit. Such a wonderful man , full of love, knowledge and respect for the people , culture and southwest in general. I'm 64 and call New Mexico my original home. I have never met such knowledgable, great man, with such a beautiful selection of high quality art, as Nakai. I'll never again leave Holbrook, without stopping by to see him... probably to make a purchase......

Nakai's Indian Cultural Trade Center, 357 Navajo Blvd, Holbrook, Arizona. 86025

This shop was next door to a Route 66 sign we posed at, so we checked out the shop. One of the best decisions made all year. This shop has EXCELLENT QUALITY, REASONABLE PRICES, & OWNER HAS AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY. Spending the afternoon with Les Maestes, we went to Indian Art "College," learned the history of the land that is the Petrified Forest National Park from his family's arrival in the 1540s, and learned much about the geology and precious gems in the SW. We learned more from Les than we could have in a month from National Park resources. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A HIGHLIGHT OF...