Anita L Chavez, MA, ISA, AM, Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts

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Anita L Chavez
ISA member since Aug 13, 2015

(505) 350-7773 (Office)

2204 Rozinante Court NW
Albuquerque, NM 87104 map

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About

Anita Chavez' background is diverse having been a CEO in the Federal Court System for 30 years, she retired in 2014. In the past 9 years she has devoted her time to learning the practice of a Personal Property Appraiser and has established her own company titled; Southwest Heritage Personal Property Appraisals (SHPPA) .  Anita has completed the following coursework through ISA:  Advanced Appraisal Methods, 2024, Updated Fine Arts Course (2023), Requalification Course 2022, USPAP 15 Hour (2022), Core Course in Appraisal Studies, Antiques, Furnishings and Decorative Studies, Appraisal of Fine Arts and the Business of Appraising.  She continues her education by attending local workshops, ISA webinars and appraisal specific conferences.  She is currently the Vice President of the Menaul Historical Library of the Southwest (Albuquerque, New Mexico) where she is also providing pro bono work to update and catalogue the library's Southwest artifact collection. 

Since 2014, Anita has been a full-time Personal Property Appraiser and works closely with her staff of three highly dedicated assitants, two in New Mexico and one in Arizona.  She enjoys working with Western and Native American Fine Art, Southwest Native American rugs, pottery, kachinas and jewelry.  She also provides appraisals for collectibles, residential contents for insurance, equitable distribution for estates and noncash charitable contributions.  

Anita's clients have commented that her appraisals are timely, very thorough, well researched, well written, informative and concise.  She attributes her work ethic and final product to her many years working for Federal Court Judges where all research and documents had to be very accurate, well written and presented.  Through her prior work experience she has also had to provide court testimony to present and defend research she has been assigned to prepare. 

Anita is a native New Mexican, reared in Santa Fe.  She has a B.A. in Sociology and a Masters of Art (MA) from NMSU and UNM, respectively.  She has also completed a three year National Leadership Program with the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C.   To highlight Anita's work ethic and abilities it is noted that in 2010, she received the highest national award the United States Federal Court bestows;  The Directors Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts in Washington D.C.  

Anita's expertise in Native American art comes from working with Native Americans in New Mexico and Arizona for over 30 years. The Federal Courts jurisdiction encompasses all tribal lands. Throughout her federal career she had the opportunity to visit artists in their pueblos and reservations countless times as she would be invited to feast days (Pueblo Indian celebrations). She had the opportunity to be present as they created jewelry, rugs, pottery, Hopi Katsinas and Kachinas. She has a deep understanding of not only their craft but also their culture.  

What also makes Anita unique is knowing her family's history in northern New Mexico/New Spain as her ancestors date back to the 1600's.  She is  very aware of the past influences (art and culture) that Mexico and Spain also had in the Southwest. In 2018, Anita spent one month in France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco visiting the most important museums in their respective countries. 

Anita resides with her husband Ruben and her Westie dog Sophia in Albuquerque, NM and Chandler, AZ. She is also a grandmother to two beautiful baby girls.  She considers herself very blessed as she also lives very near her 93 year old mother who is healthy and vibrant.