Nearly all of the art and craftwork  we carry at Moonstones is exclusively American in origin. We have chosen to specialize in American Art for several reasons.
The number one reason is that America is where we live, physically, emotionally and spiritually. We believe in our country and we are very proud of the progress we have made as a relatively new nation and in the contributions we have made to the world. We believe that the concept of America is an Art in itself. We choose to support our country by helping to support its artisans.
The craftspeople we deal with have become our friends, some are our neighbors, all are our countrymen. We have found that our business relationships took on more meaning when we knew the people who made our products. Our artisans  in many cases are the people we grew into adults with. We have seen them raise their kids, buy their houses and develop their craft. This brings a depth to our lives that most other retailers may not have the opportunity to enjoy.
Another reason we carry American work is that we have found it to be without question,  the best quality we have been able to find anywhere. This has made our choices so much easier over the years because we were able to eliminate the myriad of decisions other galleries and gift stores have to make when they choose from the immense amount of merchandise flooding our shores from other countries. It has kept our product mix strong and true. It has allowed us to focus on one niche market that we feel makes the best products in the world. This may run counter to much of the press about American products but I can only tell you about what I have learned from experience. American design and craftsmanship is better, a lot better.
                                                 What is Art?
It is a question that has been asked for thousands of years. I have been in the American Craft movement since 1981and I have been asked that question many times by clients and by artisans. Is a beautifully crafted rocking chair art?
I like to shift the answer to the realm of creativity and the mystery that surrounds it. It appears to me to be an innate drive of the human spirit. You can also see it at work in the wonderful creativity of our natural world. I mean could you really make some of the strange creatures you see in the world up in your imagination if you tried? I think in humans it is a natural expression of this same force that creates this exotic world and for that matter us.
The creation of  a painting or the creation of a beautifully sculpted chair are both art forms. Skill and a keen imagination are involved in the translation from physical raw materials into art. "No-thing" is elevated to "some-thing". It is like poetry, only of the physical.
The important thing is that you see spirit infused into the tangible. It will make your life richer when you appreciate this talent both in yourself and in others. At Moonstones Gallery we attempt to bring you examples of this spirit infused into art forms so you can have and enjoy them in your home and work environment. If you love it, if that love endures, then it must be art.

Robert Unger
owner