Mittler Family Foundation Makes $2M Gift to the Wheelwright Museum

Mittler Family Foundation Makes $2M Gift to the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, NM   

The gift will be used for a gallery remodel and is accompanied by the family collection of remarkable Cochiti figurative art. 

SANTA FE, NM, (Jan. 2025) Charlotte Mittler and the Mittler Family Foundation have donated their treasured collection of Cochiti Storytellers and Mono figurines to the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian and have generously given a two million dollar gift to help the museum reconfigure its lower-level gallery. This is a transformative gift for the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, which will help the museum redesign the exhibition space on the lower level. This renovation will provide permanent space for the Cochiti figures and create a more engaging experience for museum guests. The Wheelwright is honored to curate a rotating exhibit of this work over the next ten to fifteen years, providing new opportunities for programming and events.  

Charlotte Mittler and her late husband Tom have been friends, board members, and supporters of the Wheelwright Museum for decades. They have participated in various past exhibitions, including lending their extensive collection of early Santa Fe Indian School art for the exhibit Through Their Eyes, curated by Dr. Michelle S. A. McGeough (Métis/Cree). It was through the Wheelwright exhibit Clay People (1998) that Tom became fascinated by the early, large Cochiti figures. Clay People sparked the couple’s interest in collecting many of the sculptures that are published in Clay Mirror (2020) and will be donated.  

Charlotte recalls, “One of my favorite projects was creating the book about our collection of figures, storytellers, and animals. We were able to speak with artists and their families about the figures and document the collection with their words and photos. Living with the figures feels like being surrounded by friends.” 

Getting to know the artists and their stories has been an essential part of collecting for the Mittlers. The art embodies the narrative of the maker, the narrative of the community, and the narrative of all those whom the work has impacted. Preserving these stories and experiences can now be continued by the Wheelwright. As Charlotte observes, “The Wheelwright has always been a special place for our family. It is my hope that more members of the Cochiti community will be able to engage with the figures and that the stories of the makers will be preserved as a crucial part of history.” 

Executive Director Dr. Henrietta Lidchi believes this gift strengthens the Wheelwright Museum’s vision of honoring Native voices through art. “These figures enhance our museum’s mission by conveying the power of Cochiti stories. We are humbled to participate in the stewardship of this collection that connects the Wheelwright Museum with the Mittler family and the Cochiti community.”