About The GALLERY!

Tribes Gallery is distinguished for its expertise in the field of American Indian Art. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, Tribes, is considered a treasure where people can indulge themselves in the history, culture and celebration of First American, southwest and Oklahoman art. A fixture in Norman since 1990, Tribes has evolved into a much broader range of styles and mediums than when it first opened, and has been described as a visual feast where within the walls one will find historical, abstract, contemporary, traditional and pop art original paintings.

A vast array of pottery, baskets, textiles, beadwork, bronzes, alabaster carvings, cultural items, books, contemporary and traditional hand crafted jewelry can also be found here.

Up and coming artists are afforded the opportunity to grow and gain valuable information for a professional career while working beside some of the most seasoned and recognized artists in the industry.

Meet the Team 

  • Gallerist, Creative Director + Appraiser

    Leslie Pate is the sole proprietor of Tribes Gallery, Native American Art Calendar, Inc. and Tribes Appraisers. With more than 35 years of experience in the art industry, specializing in American Indian & Southwest Art, she is a valuable resource to many throughout Oklahoma and across the nation. Her journey with the arts began in her teens as she ventured to gallery shows & events with her parents. Although she maintains Degrees in GIS, Psychology & Geography, her 6 year apprenticeship under the tutelage of Doris Littrell, paved her way into the world of a Gallerist & Appraiser.

    In the rare chance Leslie isn’t working, you can find her spending quality time with family.

  • Assistant - Gallerist, Art Consultant

    Terren Mattox, Leslie’s daughter, was pretty much born into the gallery. Growing up at Tribes, she always had passion for small business and Indigenous art. Terren studied marketing and visual communications at University of Oklahoma, but life and her love for TG called her back the gallery. She loves getting to help patrons find the perfect piece to add to their collection or for a specific space, and finds joy in connecting with emerging artists and giving them space to show their work. She believes that ART IS MEDICINE and everyone deserves access to fine art.

    When she’s not at the gallery, Terren is probably pursuing her other passion of event floristry, painting in her art studio, cheering on one of her favorite sports teams or grabbing a sandwich at her favorite Norman sandwich shop, Midway Deli.