About Us

Greetings and welcome to the Bear Paw Art Gallery. We are your hosts, Stan and Loretta Webster, we are both from the Oneida Tribe.

In January 2004 Loretta retired from her position as the Oneida Land Management Attorney. In October, 2004 we were offered an opportunity to buy an Indian Arts and Crafts business called Bear Paw Keepsakes; we could not pass it up! Shortly thereafter, Stan retired from his position as Judicial Officer on the Oneida Appeals Commission.

We now own a business that offers a wide variety of unique Woodland Indian handmade items and original art:  New in 2011 - a coffee shop and cafe "Bear Paw Cafe" is now open as well at 2667 W. Mason Street.  Come and enjoy.

With the need to make room for this new business, we have eliminated the art gallery in the store and now sell original art and prints only on this website. This has decreased the overhead on our collection of art to a minimal amount, and WE ARE PASSING ON THESE SAVINGS TO YOU WHO HAVE ENJOYED AND POSITIVELY COMMENTED ON OUR SELECTION OF ONEIDA ARTISTS over the years.  We hope you will take advantage of the new prices and enjoy your favorite works of art in your home.

Loretta concentrates on Iroquois Raised Bead Work using designs symbolizing Iroquoian Culture. Her work, including Yokes, Glengarry Hats, Purses, Scissor Holders, Picture Frames, Moccasins and Oneida Dance outfits, can be ordered by contacting us from this webpage.

To us the store is an alternative to retirement and is definitely a lot more fun since we get to talk about Native American history and culture everyday.