Little Treasures

Like so many gallery owners, the Waiteses became interested in tribal art when they lived in Australia for two years in the 1970s. Fascinated by what local artisans were expressing about their culture, the couple collected what appealed to them. The Waiteses traveled extensively (and still do) and began to notice common themes in the arts of West Africa, the Americas and Australia. This led to research, education and more collecting. Finally, their Chicago home couldn't hold any more. And when they moved to south Fort Myers 13 years ago, they established a gallery to indulge their hobby and share their expertise and their growing collections with new friends.

The Waiteses approach their inventory the way professional curators maintain museum collections. They love to share knowledge and often provide projects for area school children. The descriptive panels next to exhibited items provide detailed and extensive information about the art form, the artist and the culture it springs from. And the brochures they produce about their revolving exhibitions are worth keeping for their educational content. Additionally, the Waiteses are genuinely interested in other collectors-and they are great conversationalists. Chat them up at their gallery and you'll see.

As for the Zuni fetishes, the miniature stone animals are collected for all different reasons. Some acquire just one or a few kinds of animals. Others collect a single kind of stone. Others collect works by specific artists such as the brothers Wilson and Salvado Romero from the Cochiti pueblo.

Fetish animals represent human characteristics, and some people give fetishes as gifts to friends and family members who exemplify such traits. Here are a few to consider: The whale means power, the bear is strength. The crow represents boldness while the deer embodies the power of gentleness. The dolphin fetish stands for wisdom, and the frog invokes rain. The hawk has clarity of inner vision and the horse possesses healing powers. A lizard means renewal, a mole is the protector of crops and the swan represents loyalty and love. Surely, you know someone who'd like a fetish and the story behind it. Fetishes at the Aboriginals gallery range in price from about $15 to $600. Large cultural gift in a small artistic package.

C.W. Smith Imported Antiques

1170 Third Street South, Naples

213-0749

The Children's Corner at The Pink Geranium

Cypress Square

13451 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

481-1677

Aboriginals: Art of the First Person

2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

395-2200