How It All Started

It all started with the shop: Keshi, the Zuni Connection

Zuni Pueblo, located 35 miles south of Gallup, NM, is the largest of the 19 pueblos. It’s located 35 miles south of Gallup, NM, with an estimated population of 11,000-12,000. Roughly ten percent of the residents make their living from their artwork which amounts to 70% of the earnings of the tribe. The unemployment rate hovers at about 35%.

In 1980, the Pueblo of Zuni created its own school district to better serve the students of the Pueblo. After working with students and their parents, several newly arrived teachers realized that the parents of their students, whose sole income was from their jewelry, were not being given fair prices by traders for the creation of their incredible work. Their geographical isolation challenges their access to markets.

Dedicated community members including Zuni teachers and artists, formed a cooperative in Santa Fe to promote an equitable market for their work, as well as provide quality Zuni jewelry and art for the public. Keshi, Ltd. was incorporated in 1981. Zuni artists received fair prices for the time, materials, and creativity of each piece they made. Keshi also worked closely with the Zuni High School art department providing a market for the paintings and pottery produced by the students. Keshi began with approximately 50 silversmiths, 10 potters, and 10 fetish carvers who were part of the co-op when it opened its doors in Santa Fe Village Mall, downtown.

Satisfied and devoted customers spread the word and the reputation of the shop grew. The success of the shop was demanding more time of the teachers who lived in Zuni Pueblo and the decision was made to sell the cooperative and make it a for profit business. The same goal was maintained to provide quality Zuni work to the public and have Zuni artists and jewelers realize equitable income from their work.

In the late 80’s, the board approached Robin Dunlap, one of the former Zuni teachers involved with the co-op, about buying the business. Dunlap had been successfully managing Keshi for the Zunis for years and believed deeply in its purpose. They proposed that the cooperative would help finance the purchase, so the shop cemented its mission under Dunlap’s ownership.

The shop continued to thrive and expand and in 2002, Keshi, moved to a larger space next door at 227 Don Gaspar Avenue.  Robin’s daughter, Bronwyn Fox, then became the owner of Keshi. Bronwyn has spent most of her life involved with the people of Zuni Pueblo, attending elementary school there, making many friends. She worked at the shop during summer vacations and after her college career. Her experience in Zuni as well as her artistic endeavors during college years, Bronwyn's expanded vision and deep conviction resulted in Keshi’s continuing success.

Keshi now serves more than 600 Zuni artists and continues to promote and assist them in their marketing so they realize what they should from their unique and exquisite work. 

The Foundation

In 2016 the Keshi Foundation (TKF) was created as a public charity 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It continues with an all-volunteer staff offering sustainable pathways and opportunities to benefit the people of Zuni Pueblo, NM, through their arts and education.

The Zuni Shows were the first efforts of TKF to better represent fine Zuni artwork to a greater extent than other shows allowed. The two successful Zuni Shows in Santa Fe benefited 250 artists and families. Widening our focus, we asked what TKF might accomplish that could help 11,000 Zunis living in the Pueblo, making every day a Zuni Show in the Zuni Pueblo.

At the request of the Zuni Tribal Council, The Keshi Foundation (TKF) sponsored a series of meetings in 2018 to learn what the Zuni Community considered effective ways to expand economic opportunity in the Zuni Pueblo. The highly constructive discussions led to the formation of ZART, the Zuni Artist Resource Team in Gallup, NM.

With seed money from Keshi, Inc. and other donors, The Keshi Foundation Board and Advisory Committee review relevant and culturally appropriate projects and support and channel funds to those causes. With the utmost respect for the Zuni People and their vital input and collaboration, TKF acts as an outreach organization that receives, considers, and selects individual and group needs in the pueblo and assists in meeting those needs.