Santa Fe, NM
Downtown Santa Fe, August 23-24
Artists’ booths line the streets of downtown Santa Fe.
This story was featured in the August 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art August 2014 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!
For the 93rd year in a row, the streets of downtown Santa Fe transform into a smorgasbord of Native American art, culture, and history for the annual Santa Fe Indian Market this month. The festival attracts more than 175,000 visitors each year—from families with young children to avid art collectors—who come to view and purchase the incredible array of works on display at the 600-plus artists’ booths that line 14 downtown city blocks. “Indian Market is an opportunity to experience some of the best and most beautiful aspects of Indian Country, as indigenous people from across the U.S. and Canada descend upon Santa Fe to offer a glimpse into their culture and life ways,” says Dallin Maybee of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the nonprofit organization that produces the event.
This year’s Indian Market takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 23-24, and features approximately 900 artists who present traditional and contemporary works in a variety of classifications, including jewelry, pottery, sculpture, textiles, paintings, wooden carvings, beadwork, baskets, and more. “There is a juried competition and awards are given in every division and classification. Then all of the Best of Classification winners compete for the coveted Best of Show award,” Maybee says.
A micaceous pot by Dominique Toya and Nancy Youngblood, available at the live auction.
As always, numerous events take place during the week leading up to the festival, including a sneak preview of this year’s award-winning art on Friday, August 22, at the Santa Fe Convention Center. “The preview event is an exciting opportunity to see the phenomenal directions that artists are taking in their work,” Maybee says.
Other highlights include music and dance performances on two stages throughout the weekend, a live auction, dinner, and gala on Saturday night at the La Fonda Hotel, and a fashion competition on Sunday morning. Of course, the ultimate Indian Market experience is found in the personal interactions that occur between patrons and artists. “The opportunity to connect with an artist and their work is a large draw for people to come to the market,” says Maybee. “This kind of accessibility to artists who are carrying their culture forward in traditional and contemporary ways is unparalleled.” —Lindsay Mitchell
contact information
www.swaia.org
Featured in the August 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art August 2014 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!
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